The Holy Spirit is the “Breath Mint of The Church”

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[This is another favorite posts from 2017. I hope you enjoy it. Fr. De Lillio]

I’m bored with my life," uttered 18-year-old Tina to her friends.  "Nothing exciting ever happens to me."

Her friends responded, “How can you feel this way when the earth right this moment is showing us its most colorful flowers?”  Another offered, “And what about the fabulous sunset we saw last night?  It never looked so beautiful.”

Next, her sister chimed in with the following, “Tina, this summer our family is planning a great vacation to Canada!  Remember, the one you always wanted.”

Then Tina’s sister added, “Think about it, how can anyone be bored with all these happenings going on?”  Yet, Tina yawned, closed her eyes and soon was fast asleep.

Poor Tina! With all these limitless and exciting gifts from God right before her eyes, Tina still seemed bored.  And truly, boredom can be tedious, tiresome, and worst of all toxic.

Boredom is the demon with the fathomless appetite for our joy.  It swallows whatever excitement life suggests; and, does it quickly and thoroughly making us feel as if nothing is worth getting excited about.  Even when we want to enjoy life, boredom drains us and leaves us listless.

Still, Jesus left his disciples, and us too, a great conqueror for boredom.  It’s the Holy Spirit.  Jesus returned to heaven and sent this “eternal energizer.”  It is the breath of God which easily ignites our hearts, quickly refreshes our existence and totally restarts our desire to live each day well.  In fact, the Holy Spirit is fondly nicknamed “the breath mint of the Church!”

Why? Because this Holy Spirit has power to fill our lives with an abundance of bright colors and lasting fragrances of flowers, stunning sunsets and even the most unforgettable vacations ever.  Yes, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit as His great gift to keep us joy-filled until He meets us again on our last day.

St. Francis de Sales says it this way:                                                                                   

"Jesus prepared for you everything necessary for your happiness.  And He did this individually too, just as the sun shines brightly on each of us as if we existed alone on this earth."

Jesus’ words are quite clear too:

“…the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name will instruct you in everything, and remind you of all that I told you.”  And Jesus meant everything--even joy! (John14:26).