When Peter preached for the first time on Pentecost, the people were eager to find salvation. He gave a bold sermon that day about the Holy Spirit, about repenting and receiving the Holy Spirit. I've read and heard much about the Holy Spirit since Easter, at Mass, in the readings, the Liturgy of the Hours, and reading about Pope Benedict's visit to the United States. In his latest book "Jesus of Nazareth" Pope Benedict indicated that it was "My personal search for the face of God" He certainly carried that theme here on his visit by looking at the country as being blessed, yet realistically understanding that our culture is corrupt and sinful in it's own materialistic way. Our pope is such a wonderful writer, speaker and theologian that I was sadly disappointed that more articles did not focus on his real message for the world versus exactly what I expected and heard from the press about the paedophile priests who so badly damaged our Church. However, he handled that well and did get the message across that repentence, reconcilation, and forgivness is part of what we are all about in today's world.
I once had an opportunity a few years back to visit Rome and had a Wednesday audiance with Pope John Paul, who was also in my opinion, a gift from the Holy Spirit. His message he carried was always full of love, forgiveness, and a passion for Jesus, just like our new Holy Father.
I guess as lay people who are out there everyday on the firing lines of evil, we can be very fortunate to have the leadership throughout the Christian community like our Pope Benedict XVI, our bishops, priests, deacons, Billy Graham, Robert Schuller, Joel Olsteen and many, many others who preach the word of God through books, in our churches, and on TV. I pray for their messages to reach all corners of the earth.
as far as our part in this, the botton line is always the same. "What would Jesus do?
