I've only read the first pages of Pope Leo's letter but I'm already breathing in (again) the heady fresh air John XXIII spoke of when he opened the Second Vatican Council and invited the Church to open its windows and let the fresh air of the Spirit blow through.
Leo is opening the windows again!Lord,
Founded on Christ, the living stone, we experience the powerful and mysterious action of the Holy Spirit, and we believe that every authentic human effort to cooperate with him for the good will be blessed by our heavenly Father, in whom we place our hope. For this reason, we can diligently contribute to every initiative that builds a more just world, and we can call others to collaborate in promoting the integral development of every human being. We wish to engage in dialogue with all men and women of our time, with whom we share in the events, questions and aspirations of humanity. Together with them, we seek to identify new paths for the common good and for promoting a dignified life for all. Indeed, openness to dialogue is an integral part of the Church’s vocation because, constituted in Christ as “a sacrament of communion..." she recognizes history as the place where the Gospel challenges and directs human experience. (Magnifica Humanitas #2)
I can feel the rush of the Spirit's wind
coming with gifts to fill the Church
and to fill the world
with wisdom, understanding and counsel
with fortitude, knowledge, and love of you...
I can see the hope the Spirit brings,
hope for a harvest of
love, joy, peace, and patience,
kindness, goodness and faithfulness,
gentleness, generosity and self-control...
Leo is calling on all of us, and on the whole world,
to open our hearts, our minds and our souls,
to remember again who made us,
who called and calls us
to do what is just, to love what is good
and to walk, humbly, with you...
We seek, we hunger and long for, Lord,
the peace we cannot give ourselves,
the peace that only you can make,
the peace that only you can give...
Help us welcome your Spirit,
your word, your will and your wisdom;
help us believe again
that all can be one,
that we can be one
with you, with one another
and with the wonder of all of creation...
Send the wind of your Spirit, Lord,
to open our windows and breathe in us
your mercy, your love and your grace...
Protect us, Lord while we're awake
and watch over us while we sleep
that awake, we might keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace...
Amen.
The Wind Is Blowin' Again by Lanny Wolfe
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The wind is blowin' again,
the wind is blowin' again
Just like the day of Pentecost,
Just like the day of Pentecost,
the wind is blowin' again
There was a crowd gathered 'round
from all over town
They came to see what it was all about
There was a sound that came down
They came to see what it was all about
There was a sound that came down
from the upper room
Where the Holy Ghost was being poured out
It sounded just like the roar of a mighty wind
As it fell on every one of them
And the wind that blew at Pentecost
Where the Holy Ghost was being poured out
It sounded just like the roar of a mighty wind
As it fell on every one of them
And the wind that blew at Pentecost
- thank God it's blowin' again!
2. The wind of God is blowin'
through the world today
As the prophet Joel said it would do
For peter said on the day of Pentecost
It's for you and your children too
So open up your heart and let the wind blow in
You'll never, never, never be the same again
For the wind that blew at Pentecost
As the prophet Joel said it would do
For peter said on the day of Pentecost
It's for you and your children too
So open up your heart and let the wind blow in
You'll never, never, never be the same again
For the wind that blew at Pentecost
keeps blowin' and blowin' again
