We are taught that we receive the Holy Spirit when we are baptized, in the sacrament of initiation into God’s life and Church.. We are also taught that in the sacrament to prepare us for adulthood, Confirmation, we receive more fully the Holy Spirit to enable us to lead responsible adult lives as followers of Christ.

In the Gospel reading after the Last Supper, before Jesus was arrested and endured his passion and death, Jesus prepares his apostles for his leaving and return to the Father. He assured them that, when he leaves, they will not be left orphans as the Holy Spirit, the Helper, will come to remind them all the things Jesus taught them.

In the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Paul explains all this to the Church at Ephesus. Paul then baptized them in the name of the Lord Jesus and laid his hands on them “and the Holy Spirit came down upon them, and they began to speak in tongues and to prophesy.”

We pray that the same Spirit who came down on the followers in Ephesus and whom we received at our baptism and confirmation may remain with us with similar power.