2025: on Pentecost Sunday

Hello hiver friends 😊

It was a day of celebrating Pentecost, the Christian festival celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Jesus after his Ascension. The gathering is held at the Layko Center IC3 Convention Center Cebu.

My groups met at the Van terminal near my place. We were more than twenty people going. We went early before lunchtime because we were to serve in the mass as collectors. We had to know our assigned rows.

The program started at 1:30 in the afternoon. Its started with the talks of Father Sam, one of the speaker.

God loves your flaws. That is the greatest gift of all.
God loves us even in our imperfections. Because that is where He will touch you.

Father Sam shared encouraging thoughts about our belongness. That we are not outcast, that God loves us the same. It was an eye opening talks just as we need as to prepare ourselves for more talks ahead.

Father Mhar Vincent, talks about how the Holy Spirit is receive, it is through:

Sacramental Empowerment
When we were baptise, we became the witness of God works.
We have now the call to share Him to others.

Institutional Empowerment
By being part of the community to serve the goodwill like being sent to a mission to share the good news

Charismatic Empowerment
When the gift of the Holy Spirit is being utilize and use for His glory.

He also talked about what hinders the Holy Spirit to work. It is when we have all these:

Sin
Discouragement
Insecurity
Burn out

The effects of these four can unmotivate us to go on. It makes me feel unworthy. True that I am struggling with these in some point of my life. I am still a work in progress.

Sis Nessa Gabiana has an inspiring story about overcoming brokenness. Being left by her mother when she was baby, the longing for that love turn to hurt and hate thus makes her indifferent growing up but life with Jesus has changed her for a better person. She reconciled with her mother after many years and found the answers to her questions. Everyone has a timeline differs to everyone. Healing starts when we accept our fate and the past.

After the inspiring talks, we had a joyful worshipping that can left up spirits. My mind is renewed with hopes.

The finale was the Holy Eucharist Celebration. Father John was our homilist, and what he shared was a reminder of how the Holy Spirit works, how to be ready for it as well as on how it didn't work in us. His words were true. It deepens my understanding as I journey towards my faith and where I am this days trying to become more faithful. Its never easy.

Photo by: ACCCRS

Attending such event, has help me in my spiritual strengthen journey. With the help of my community, life has become colorful.

Thats all for today. See you next time.