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By Deacon Mike Murphy


From Catholic San Francisco:

“And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” — John 20

One of the things I like to do at my school is coach. Actually, “coach” may be a bit strong. Rather, I show up at the scheduled game and practice times and try to manage the chaos. My fervent hope at the end of each day is that everybody’s smiling and nobody’s gotten hurt. Bruce Bochy and Bill Walsh, I’m not.

I work, though, with a fellow who is an absolutely fabulous coach. His players have fun, learn a lot and win most of their games. They would literally run through walls for him.

What I really love watching is how he works with his players. He treats them all as individuals, maximizing their strengths, working on their weaknesses. During a single practice, he may be a quiet teacher, a firm disciplinarian, a shoulder to cry on. He’s always there for his players, in exactly the way they need him. Because he’s been their coach, they become better players; more important, they often become better people.

I thought of him as I looked at the readings for Pentecost and the various ways in which the Holy Spirit enters the lives of the apostles. At different times, the Holy Spirit comes as tongues of fire, a strong driving wind and through the gentle breath of Jesus. These are utterly different descriptions. Yet, like my friend the coach, the Spirit in each instance touches the apostles in exactly the way they need, just when they need it. The Spirit acts with power and force, giving the virtues of courage and strength. He enters quietly, bringing to bear his calming presence. Each time, we see the same Spirit that’s present today, changing lives, forming community, bringing peace to the earth.

We turn to God for many reasons. Yet we see this week that no matter the reason, the Holy Spirit will be there, ready to make a difference. The face that the Holy Spirit will show to us each time will be the face of God that we so need at that moment.

Perhaps some young parents have been overextended and their nerves are a bit frayed. They would do anything if they could just take a nap or have a quiet cup of coffee. In that instant, the Holy Spirit might appear as a calming word from Scripture, a couple minutes of blessed silence, or even better, an understanding grandparent. That’s God, that’s the Holy Spirit, working and present in our lives, entering the world like the peaceful breath of Jesus.

At other times, the Holy Spirit might be much more forceful and directed. Maybe we witness an injustice. We might want nothing more than to just close our eyes and hope it all goes away. Yet in this case, the Holy Spirit won’t let us rest, but instead will give us the courage and strength to go into action. We’ll be amazed at what we’re able to do, the difference we’re able to make. That’s also God, that’s also the Holy Spirit, working and present in our lives, entering the world like a strong and driving wind.

Our challenge this week is twofold: To recognize that the Holy Spirit is always with us, and to then live our lives with the peace and courage that knowledge gives us. Knowing we are not alone, we can be confident he will give us the necessary graces to be good, holy, and loving people. At very different places and very different times in our lives, we may need the Spirit in very different ways. But he will be there, just when we need Him, exactly how we need him. Pentecost promises us that.

Reflection questions:
How do we need the Holy Spirit at this moment in our lives?
Are we open to recognizing the Spirit making a difference in our lives?


Mike Murphy is a permanent deacon serving at St. Charles Parish in San Carlos. He teaches religion at Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton.
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