One day, Leonardo da Vinci started working on a large painting in his studio. He worked on the picture for a while, outlining its composition, colors, detailing, etc. At a certain point, he stopped working on the painting and asked one of his students to complete the work. The anxious student protested that he was both unworthy and unable to complete the great painting which Leonardo, his master, had begun. Da Vinci summoned him and silenced him: “Will not what I have done inspire you to do your best?”
In a sense, through His Ascension into heaven and in the sending of the Holy Spirit, Jesus is asking us and instructing us to help Him finish His picture… bringing the world back to God, working to establish His peace, and being His healing and reconciling presence wherever we go. Remember: He has not abandoned us, He will be with us, working through us – always.
Veni, Sancte Spiritus—Come, Holy Spirit, come!
And from your celestial home Shed a ray of light divine!
Come, Father of the poor!
Come, source of all our store!
Come, within our bosoms shine.
You, of comforters the best;
You, the soul’s most welcome guest;
Sweet refreshment here below;
In our labor, rest most sweet;
Grateful coolness in the heat;
Solace in the midst of woe.
O most blessed Light divine,
Shine within these hearts of yours,
And our inmost being fill!
Where you are not, we have naught,
Nothing good in deed or thought,
Nothing free from taint of ill.
Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness pour your dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away:
Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray.
On the faithful, who adore And confess you, evermore
In your sevenfold gift descend;
Give them virtue’s sure reward;
Give them your salvation, Lord;
Give them joys that never end. Amen.
Alleluia.
