Descent of the Holly Spirit by MATT FRADD

The Rosary,” wrote Blessed Pope John Paul II, “precisely because it starts with Mary’s own experience, is an exquisitely contemplative prayer. Without this contemplative dimension, it would lose its meaning.”
Pope Paul VI wrote that “without [this contemplation,] the Rosary is a body without a soul, and its recitation is in danger of becoming a mechanical repetition of formulas and of going counter to the warning of Christ: ‘And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words’ (Mt 6:7).’”
Because of this, it is vital that Christians familiarize themselves with the Scriptures in order to meditate on the mysteries of the life of Christ.
Below is the third glorious mystery. To see other mysteries, click here.

The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-13)

Shortly after the ascension of Christ, the eleven  disciples, along with Mary, the mother of Jesus and other women returned to Jerusalem and went to the “upper room” where they devoted themselves to prayer. On the day of Pentecost, fifty days after the resurrection, the upper room in which they were was filled with the rush of a mighty wind. They saw “tongues of fire” which came to rest on each of them and they were filled with the Holy Spirit. They began to speak in different languages.

 Insight

This event reminds us of the story of the tower of babel found in Genesis eleven, where “the whole earth had one language (Gen 11:1). Because of their attempt to build a civilization which would have been in opposition to God’s plan, God “confuse[d] their language that they may not understand one another’s speech” (Gen 11:7). In Acts chapter two we see the reverse of what happened at Babel.
The early Church, now endowed with the Holy Spirit, seeks to proclaim the Kingdom of God and God gives them the supernatural gift of speaking in “other tongues.” Those who were present, “were amazed and wondered, saying ‘are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? (Gen 11:7-8).

Personal Application

This mystery encourages us place our faith in the Holy Spirit as we evangelize those in our lives who are far off from him. Ultimately it is the Holy Spirit, not us, who converts hearts.