The Paschal candle burning on the altar will soon be extinguished and put away until next year. As Catholics we celebrate Easter until the Feast of Pentecost  “Pentecost Sunday” Our traditions are strongly rooted in the Book of Acts.

Imagine living in the time of Jesus, walking alongside Him, taking in all the spiritual lessons and being filled with the love of God. Then suddenly it’s all taken away from you; Jesus was no longer in your presence, but you are aware that something supernatural has taken place with His Resurrection. Prayer is the only recourse, and that is exactly what His followers did.

In the Old City of Jerusalem, located in the Jewish section, is the Upper Room. In this very room Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and the apostles prayed continuously for nine days before the world first experienced the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus had many times introduced this doctrine to His disciples, but they were too spiritually inept to receive His message. In the Upper Room they were all praying in one accord when fire from heaven fell on them. It was a powerful movement that not only shook the room but the world.

Early in the morning the city was filled with Jewish visitors who came from foreign lands to celebrate the Jewish Passover. At 9 a.m. the power of God fell upon them.  Many passersby thought that persons in the Upper Room were drunk, but Peter set them straight.

My Experience

After leaving the Catholic Church for a season, I had been part of a Pentecostal movement for years. Speaking in tongues was openly practiced at the Vineyard Christian Fellowship. Someone from across the room would start speaking in tongues, while on the opposite side came the interpretation. Strange as it sounded, I accepted this as part of the service. Personally I did not speak in tongues at that time but always wondered what it would be like. After returning to the Catholic Church I joined a lay group that was really into the Catholic Charismatic Renewal.  When I first  experienced this, my heart was beating out of my chest. I heard the leader say, “Don’t think about it, just loosen your tongue, allowing the spirit of God to flow.” I felt pressured because nothing was coming out of my mouth. I did not want to pretend that I was speaking in tongues, so I remained quiet. It took several months for me to receive this gift.  The sound of praise as sung in tongues is the closest to what I imagine angelic praise music is like. Whenever I am anxious and cannot pray, I pray silently in tongues; it’s a gift that calms my spirit in knowing that I am communicating with God. Unlike Pentecostal Christians, Catholics are more subdued about this private language between them and God. As for me, it is a holy language between me and God; if I pray in tongues publicly, it is always in a small prayer group.

The MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

Before going in for an MRI to be examined for a torn meniscus,  I was praying  in the Spirit (tongues). The technician told me that the procedure would last 15 minutes. The last time I had an MRI it lasted 30 minutes. “Is it still a loud banging noise?” I asked. “I’m afraid so,” she answered. She gave me some large  earphones and asked if I wanted to hear music during the procedure. Without thinking I said yes, but I requested Christian music. I started to pray again when this ridiculous rap music started! It was as if it was in unison with the banging of the MRI machine. I wanted to yell for the technician to come back in and turn off this unwanted noise, but I was trapped. The only relief was that it was Christian rap. Thank the good Lord that the 15 minutes went by fast. When the technician returned she asked, “Was that rap music you were listening to?” Yes, I answered! She apologized for the annoyance. Before I left I asked if I could take a picture of myself near the MRI machine. She explained that that was against their regulations but that I could take a picture outside the door. I took two quick pictures and left.

The following day, while scrolling through my pictures, I came across the picture of the dreaded MRI machine. I’m always aware of my surroundings, so before I set my leg into the huge machine, my eyes scanned the entire room. Looking up was a plastic mural of trees with orange leaves with a peek of a blue skyline, and to the right were two windows. It was 7 a.m. on a gloomy morning, but when I pulled up this picture on my phone something popped up! I could see the image of  Saint Pio of Pietrelcina  (Padre Pio) and the Blessed Virgin Mary in the first window. I showed it to my daughter Sonja, who said, “Mom, there is nothing there. What are you talking about?” It bothered me a little that she could not experience what I’d envisioned. Later that night while we were having dinner, I showed it to her again, but at a different angle. She excitedly shouted out, “I see her! I see her!” In all honesty  I understand that these images are a sign to some; but to others it can come across as problematic. I received it as a sign from God that Mary was watching over me and Padre Pio was interceding on my behalf.

The Great Commission

There were so  many holy inscidents in the Upper Room that day. The power was handed over to the apostles, and on that particular day Peter ministered to both Jews and Gentiles, baptizing and converting over 3,000 believers.(Acts 2:41)  After much prayer, lots were cast and Matthias was chosen as the new apostle. (Acts 1:23-26) The great commission was in full force and nothing could stop the fire of the Holy Spirit. The fear that the Apostles  felt after experiencing Jesus’ death had turned into boldness, and the fire within them could not be quenched. We, too, have this gift when we pray for others, when we lay hands on the sick, and when we believe God for the impossible. The Holy Spirit should be guiding us in every area of our lives. This is the same message the apostles were sharing almost 2,000 years ago, and it has not changed because the Word of God has not changed.

We celebrate Pentecost because it is also the birthday of the Catholic Church; the Apostle Peter became our first pope.

My Prayer

Dear Lord, thank You for sending down Your Holy Spirit. May we always protect this precious gift and never take it for granted. Lord, use us to do the work You commissioned for apostles. Send us out, Lord. Amen

In a study by Emil O.W. Kirkegaard, the Ulster Institute of Social Research recently released an interesting findings stating that people who are extremely liberal suffer from mental illness more frequently than right-wing extremists. In my observation  part of the mental illness is the anger that is attached to their way of thinking. Once this mindset has entered into a cult-like thinking, it’s difficult to escape the outcome. As a conservative I, too, suffer from reading too much into political matters, but I’ve learned to put the brakes on when my mind gets too flustered. I pray instead of obsessing.

California Living

We are surrounded by natural beauty, and though I live 20 minutes from the beach, the ocean generously sends us a cooling breeze on a regular basis. This breeze reminds me that God is in control; I can’t see the Pacific, or see the breeze but it is ever present. California has turned its wounded cheek for more and more abuse, but all the evil is being exposed for the world to see. We are a state controlled by liberals, but they do not rule over us because we, who believe in truth and justice are not taking these matters lightly.

We have developed into a nation of bad leadership: education, professional sports teams, Hollywood, politicians and liberal media have given us a preview of life in chaos. The liberals can say what they feel without any recourse for what spews out of their mouths. Yet we silently voice our opinion by shutting them off. Take the Academy Awards; not too many of us cared to participate in this staged event strategically making sure that certain races and genders of people won. I remember when this show was in its prime and the winners were awarded because of their talent not their gender or race. Our silent voices were loudly expressed with the show’s lowest ratings ever. I don’t want to be lectured by liberal thinking. People like me will no longer support any movies they make either.

Our governor is running scared because he thought he was invincible. We’re tired of how this state is being ruined by buffoons with big hair and Joker smiles. It’s time for new leadership. I signed the petition to remove our governor from office months ago, and apparently we have reached more signatures than are needed to recall Newsom. We don’t keep our fingers crossed, we pray.

The Extreme Mindset

A  circumspect mind gives us an opening to reality. There is good in all of us, but when the mind wanders deep into the abyss of darkness, sometimes it’s difficult to find a way out and into the light. I know plenty of extreme right-wing people; they mean well but they separate themselves because of their own beliefs. Though my husband and I do not always agree on political matters, we have learned to leave this out of our marriage for the sake of peace. It’s not my job to change him to believe as I do, nor can he impose his beliefs on me. The only recourse is to pray for the revelation of God’s truth.

The extreme example of left-wing bias has been given the right to wave their banners of injustice in our faces. We see what Black Lives Matter is about. They do not represent Black America. BLM are out for themselves, and there is no hiding their truth. So far Patrisse Cullors,  BLM co-founder, has purchased four homes valued over 3.2 million dollars. According to an article in the Washington Times, FaceBook blocked this story from being viewed. BLM of New York City has called for an independent investigation of Ms. Cullors home-buying binge.  This is for the “woke” folks to wake up and follow the money trail.

Vice-President

Our giggling Vice-President has yet to set foot near our borders. I’m a mother; when my children needed provisions; food, clothing, shelter, it was our responsibility as parents to make sure their needs were met. I would never clothe, feed and shelter a stranger before my own family. Yet our country is carelessly doing this. I am a missionary, so if anyone understands the needs of others, I do! As a missionary I see the pain, the need and the care others need, but for the love of God and country, let’s take care of America first. Kamala Harris continues to spend money when it is needed at home. This liberal thinking has stepped on and pushed aside the needs of Americans. Our homeless crisis continues to escalate while Biden and Harris load up illegal immigrants on to planes to hide the real problem. To make us believe that all the influx of illegals has to do with climate change is egregious.

Governor Cuomo

Though the news of all of Cuomo’s wrongdoings have been swept under the rug, God is dealing with this city. When sin is exposed but no action has been taken to rid the sin, God allows the decay to rot from within. With the lack of police the city will slowly die a sinner’s death. 5,300 uniformed officers retired or put in their paperwork to leave the force in 2020; this is a 75% spike from the previous year. Do the math; without law, anarchy prevails. Keep your mask on and you’ll be fine. Keep defunding the police and your mask will be your only protection. God help New York!

With the fake news of Biden’s popularity soaring, you’d think he invented the wheel. In the eyes of the liberal media he does no wrong; well that is partly correct because he does nothing! I’m praying when the bishops meet later this month, they reach the consensus that Biden no longer receive Communion because Biden does not support Catholic doctrine.

My Prayer:

Dear Lord, though we cannot see the changes, we know that You are in control. Nothing will destroy all the work that has been done in our free country. Lord, I pray that all those who are confused, misguided and lost, will feel the breath of Your Holy Spirit. Lord, speak to all of us in dreams and renew our love for one another. You are the Master of us all and we wait for Your Holy Hand to move over this country. Amen