By Pat Haggerty

I have no sense of direction when it comes to driving.  It’s always been my downfall.  I can never figure out if I should go north or south or east or west.  I am a terrible map reader as well.  I think that had to have been a deficit in my education.  I don’t recall doing much with maps except for coloring them and making land forms with salt, water and flour.  That has been no help to me in my adulthood when looking for a specific route or exit.

When the GPS came along that was my salvation!!  Now I can travel anywhere without worry.  The navigation system has brought about peace in my life and, certainly, a lot less stress.  I do lots of traveling as a consultant.  When I take on a new assignment I just enter in the address of my destination and I’m off.  I have the confidence that I will arrive at my destination as planned and within the time specified.  How great is that!  The only thing that can deter me is a traffic jam, and that does present problems periodically.  I just have to think about the congested areas I might be encountering---and I’m good.

As I reflect on Pentecost, it occurs to me that God has given us our own internal GPS.  It is the Holy Spirit.  As we travel the journey that is our life, we always have the Holy Spirit to guide us.  We need not suffer fear or stress; we need only be receptive to the gifts of the Spirit.  We need to ask the Spirit for guidance, proceed on our journey, and sometimes “expect the unexpected.”  However, we can always feel confident that the Holy Spirit will be there for us.

As St. Paul tells us in the second reading for Pentecost Sunday:  “To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.”  (1 Corinthians 12:7)  There it is, then.  The Spirit is with us so that we can do good, so that we can be of service, so that we can contribute to the Mystical Body.

The Sequence for Pentecost can also serve as a beautiful prayer that can remain on our lips long after the holy day is over.  I love the words of the Sequence; they fill me with hope and peace.  I can feel comfort as I pray---

“Heal our wounds, our strength renew; on our dryness pour your dew; wash the stains of guilt away on the faithful, who adore and confess you, evermore.  In your sevenfold gift descend.”

May the Holy Spirit fill you “with joys that never end!”