Veni Sancte Spiritus…

Published by CN Admin at May 20, 2026

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By Judy Joseph Mc Sween

Time Out Specialist – Emotional Intelligence, Conversational Intelligence and Spiritual Intelligence Coach.

Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Happy Pentecost. Let’s pause and centre ourselves. Take a few deep breaths to bring ourselves to the present moment. We breathe in peace and release all anxiety. We acknowledge the presence of the Holy Spirit within us in the present moment to guide and direct us. We let go of our egos and acknowledge the opportunity to align our will with God’s will. We have our Bible nearby.

A cursory review on the AI definition of self-awareness finds descriptors rooted in neuroscientific research and psychology. They fall short of what is required for us to be our best selves, that rootedness in emotional and spiritual intelligence.

As we celebrate the Solemnity of Pentecost, I am drawn to the need for us to deepen our reflections on our self-awareness, in the context of our knowledge of and relationship with the Holy Spirit.

In exploring our Trinitarian God, we can identify with God the Father through the beauty and awe of Creation. We connect with Jesus through Scripture, His life here on earth, His continued calls for love, compassion, and forgiveness.

At the Resurrection, Jesus promised John 14:16–17 “… And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”

Some of us struggle to develop an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit.

Let’s reflect on what happened when the disciples accepted the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus said in John 14:26–27, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Yet the disciples remained in the upper room, afraid to step outside, for fear that they would be persecuted/executed. It sounds very much like how we are currently being forced to live.

Acts 2:1–4, “They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”

The spirit of temerity left them, and they were emboldened to go out, manifesting the spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:4–11):

Word of Wisdom
Word of Knowledge
Faith
Gifts of Healing
Working of Miracles
Prophecy
Discerning of Spirits
Speaking in Tongues
Interpretation of Tongues

It was the fulfilment of the promise that the Holy Spirit will be poured out on all believers to empower, transform, and equip the Church for ministry. We are called into the self-awareness of the unique gift that we have received.

Our self-awareness should extend to the knowledge of how we are to use the gift in ministry, to serve, to teach, to lead, to show mercy. Self-awareness is being humble in our giftedness, not believing that we are superior to others because of our giftedness.

Self-awareness is not feeling or believing that we are lacking any giftedness or inferior to others because of their giftedness. Spirit-driven self-awareness is knowing how God has and hasn’t gifted us for ministry and ministering in light the giftedness.

Judy Joseph Mc Sween, Time Out Specialist is a Certified Coach in Emotional Conversational and Spiritual Intelligence. Join her at the BRIX on June 1, 7:30 – 11:30 a.m. for ‘Experiencing Emotional Intelligence’. For further information Email: judy@timeoutspecialist.com Mobile: 684-9827

Reflection