Father Bob's Reflections

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

This coming Sunday is the feast of Pentecost, a word which means “fifty days.”  We’ve been celebrating Easter for that long.

We’ve been trying to wake up to the world around us. Trying to become conscious and aware. Both to our surroundings and to what’s going on inside of us — paying attention to our feelings that are indicators of the health of our body, mind and spirit.

I’ve been writing my  reflections on my life as a priest.  I began my 44th year today.  And I am very thankful for every day of my priesthood. 

My prayer is looking forward as I reflect on these years: We need a New Pentecost in
the Church these days.  We need to have the windows flung open once again, as
Pope John XXIII did fifty years ago and let the mighty wind of the Holy Spirit shake
us up.

We very much need a rekindling of the fire of love in our church, in our country, in our world.

The story of the radical and remarkable transformation that grabbed hold of the first disciples of Jesus is dramatically told in the Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11.

I pray for that continued transformation for me, each day of my life.

When I celebrated Eucharist this morning on my anniversary, I was caught up with memories of my first Mass.  My parents and my aunt and uncle, who sat in the first pew, are gone now.  I prayed to them.  I also prayed to my best priest-buddy Phil who died at age 46 and left me without the friend I loved so much.

For all of you who have been part of my journey at one point or other I say with Dag Hammarskjöld . . .

       For all that has been Thanks,

                For all that shall be, Yes!

Come Holy Spirit,

fill the hearts of your faithful

and enkindle in them

the fire of your love

and they shall be created

and you shall renew the face of the earth!

Here is “Come Holy Ghost” in its chant form “Veni Creator Spiritus” Click here. Be sure to enter full screen.

Bob Traupman

contemplative writer 

P. S. This my 199th post.