Besides the Gifts of the Spirit for Sanctification, there are the Charismatic Gifts for service and the building up of the Body of Christ. This is the area, I believe, is lacking in our catechesis for Confirmation. Yet, the Second Vatican Council taught that the hierarchical and charismatic gifts are like the two lungs of the Church. These gifts are listed both by Paul and Peter in their Letters. One of these gifts is faith. Faith, as a theological virtue, enables us to believe in the truths of revelation. Faith, as a spiritual gift, enables us to act on the impulse of the Holy Spirit. This is the faith that Jesus told the Apostles that if they had, they could move mountains. This is the faith that Peter acted on when he told the paralyzed man in the name of Jesus to stand up and walk. This gift of faith is from the Holy Spirit. The Spirit inspires us to act and we step out in faith and do. God's power is manifested.  Pray that you be open and responsive to the stirring of the Spirit, so God's glory can be revealed.

Homily Solemnity of the Ascension

 

Reading 1: The author, Luke, begins by referring to his first book, which we know as the Gospel of Luke. The focus of the Gospel was all that Jesus did and taught until the Ascension. The Acts begin with the same event, the Ascension, and the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to send the Holy Spirit to guide the Apostles and the Church. Luke connects the Ascension with Jesus’ resurrection and the coming of the Spirit.

 

Then on the day of his ascension, Jesus gave the Apostles their final and foundational mandate. “You will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” The Apostles still did not fully understand what Jesus was saying. So he further explained to them. “When the Holy Spirit comes you will receive power and you will be my witnesses throughout the world.”

 

How important is being baptized with the Holy Spirit, receiving his anointing power? Significant enough for this to be the last statement Jesus makes to the Apostles before he returns to the Father.

 

It reflects Jesus’ personal experience in his life as the God-Man. After his public commitment to the Father in being baptized, accepting his mission as Savior of the world, the Father confirmed Jesus’ yes and poured upon him the fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit with signs and wonders as his credentials.

 

So now, the Apostles are to go forth to witness the message of salvation through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus with the coming of the Holy Spirit, but also with the second coming of Jesus at the end of time

 

Gospel: In the first reading we heard Luke’s account of the Ascension of Jesus as found in the Acts of the Apostles. Now, we hear of his account in the Gospel narrative. Jesus first reminds them of what had been written in the Old Testament about the Messiah. He must suffer, die, and rise on the third day. He came to call people to repentance, so that through his death and resurrection sins are forgiven. This is the message they are to witness and preach.

 

And again, as he said at the Last Supper, Jesus reminds them of the coming of the Holy Spirit who will come upon them, anoint them and empower them. Then he departs from them. They returned to Jerusalem joyfully going to the Temple to praise God.

 

What is the difference between this scene and that of Jesus’ pre-resurrection appearance on Easter? On Easter they were hiding behind closed doors in the Upper Room, fearful for their lives and ashamed of their lack of courage. Now, having seen and been in the risen Lord’s presence for forty days, they are changed men. They are no longer afraid for their lives but waiting expectedly for the coming of the Holy Spirit. They are eager to witness the Good News of salvation in the power of the Holy Spirit. The risen Jesus has changed their lives. They had many encounters with Jesus but the one that sealed their relationship and their conviction and resolve to be his witnesses was encountering the risen Lord, who is True God and True Man.

 

Reading 2: Three main ideas are given to us. First, the initial part of the reading says “Christ…entered heaven itself, that he might now appear before God on our behalf.” The second, Jesus’ first coming was to take away sin. But he will “appear a second time, not to take away sin but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him.” Third, because of Jesus we now can approach the throne of God with confidence, for we have been washed by the blood of the Lamb. God’s promises are true.

 

It was necessary for Jesus to ascend to the Father for two reasons. One to send the Holy Spirit who continues and completes the plan of God. Second to come again in glory as Lord of Lord and King of Kings. We are in this in-between time, called to hold unwaveringly to our confession and to witness boldly in the power of the Spirit the love of God for each of us. 

 The Gift of Fear of the Lord rounds out the seven gifts for sanctification. The word fear is really an unfortunate term. In our human language the word fear connotates a desire to avoid or run away from, lest one is harmed. It should be rather called to be in awe of God, to have a reverential awe of the the Most Holy One. No father wants his children to be afraid of him, but to with respect to be with him. The Spirit gives us the grace or gift to come before the Lord with a basic understanding of who God is and who we are in relationship to God. God is a Father who loves us and desires us to be with him in glory. The scriptures tell us that the Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom. When we come before the Lord God with the reverence and awe that is his, we open ourselves to the ability to perceive what is in the mind of God, which is Wisdom.

Ascension of the Lord Gospel C

Jesus said to his disciples: “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.

· Jesus presents in summary the core message they are to preach with its central teaching: his death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins.

· Because they are witnesses of this salvific event, they are to tell others. How do we witness the impact in our lives of Jesus’ death and resurrection resulting in the forgiveness of our sins?

· In what ways have you experienced God’s love and mercy through the forgiveness of sins over the last month? Have you witnessed that to anyone?

And behold I am sending the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

· He is referring to the coming of the Holy Spirit upon them in power. This conclusion of the Gospel of Luke will tie in with the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles that Luke also wrote.

· Do you recognize the role of the Holy Spirit in your own lives and the call to witness to others?

Then he led them out as far as Bethany, raised his hands, and blessed them. As he blessed them he parted from them and was taken up to heaven. 

· Bethany is on the Mt of Olives across from Jerusalem. It is outside of the village of Martha, Mary and Lazarus.

· A fuller picture of the Ascension is found in the first chapter of Acts. Reread it.

They did him homage and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and they were continually in the temple praising God.

· Luke began his Gospel with the appearance of the Angel Gabriel to Zechariah in the Temple in Jerusalem. He ends his Gospel with the Disciples praising God in the Temple.

· What is God’s message to you as you reflect on this passage?  

 The sixth spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit is the Gift of Piety. It is the gift of relationship-a relationship of love in response to God's love for us. Through the Gifts of Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Right Judgment and Fortitude, we come to know in a fuller way God's plan for our life. We come to appreciate his great,  unconditional love for us. Our hearts desire to respond and the only adequate response is love. But even our response of love is as a result of grace from God. Our love is expressed in worship of the One, True God, who alone is worthy of all praise, adoration, thanksgiving, and blessings.  Our love is further expressed in our service of others, as a way of life. This Gift of Piety prepares us for our life after death in the Kingdom of God, eternally worshipping the eternal One with all the angels and saints. We learn this worship here on earth and perfect it in eternity. Thank you, Lord, for the Gift of Piety.

 God knows that our human nature is weak. So that we can depend upon him to remain faithful to him in times of difficulty, God empowers us with the Gift of Fortitude. Paul and Silas, having preached the Word of God, were beaten and imprisoned in Philippi.  They could have feared the worse, but with fortitude of spirit they placed their hope in the Lord. They sang his praises in the depths of their dark dungeon. God freed them. Not only that, their jailer was converted and baptized, seeing the fortitude of Paul and Silas and hearing the Good News of Jesus. In the midst of difficult situations, ask for the Gift of Fortitude to stand firm and be a sign of courage and commitment to others. Who knows what God will do with your courageous commitment.

 As the Gift of Wisdom enables us to perceive what is in the mind of God, and the Gift of Knowledge helps us to be aware of what is good and right, and the Gift of Understanding helps us to comprehend what we come to know by grace, the Gift of Right Judgment or Counsel enables us to make the right decision, to choose that which is good, perfect and true. The intellect is moved by Knowledge and Understanding. The will is moved by Right Judgment. Each gift is a grace from God allowing us to walk in the way of the Lord, growing in relationship with him. When the early Church was confronted between those who saw Baptism as the means of salvation and those who insisted on circumcision and the Mosaic Laws, the Apostles prayed for wisdom, knowledge and understanding and came to the right judgement validating Baptism as the means of salvation. They concluded: "It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and us."  Pray to follow the same process with the same gifts in the decision you make, effecting your relationship with God.

 

Homily Sixth Sunday of Easter Year C

 

Reading 1: As the Word of God through the ministry of Paul and Barnabas spread among the Gentiles who are baptized, some of the Judaizers came from Jerusalem and began to sow doubt in the community of believers concerning the authenticity of Paul’s ministry. These Judaizers insisted that the Gentiles need to be circumcised and follow the Mosaic laws to be saved.

 

Not knowing who was right, the community decided to send Paul and Barnabas with others to Jerusalem to the Apostles for clarification. This is the initial awareness of the authority of the Apostles over the life and teaching of the Church.

 

After hearing about how God blessed the ministry of Paul and Barnabas to the Gentiles with signs and wonders, the apostolic leadership made a profound statement and decision. First of all, they said: “It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and us.” In other words, after prayer and much discussion The Holy Spirit inspired them with the answer. This fulfills what Jesus taught the Apostles at the Last Supper: “I will send you the Holy Spirit. He will teach and guide you to the truth.” We will come back to this in the Gospel.

 

What was the truth? That baptism not circumcision was necessary for salvation. Following the Mosaic Law was not required any longer. The only requirement was the turning away from their former pagan practices. What will happen if we followed the practice of the Apostles, namely invoking and following the guidance of the Holy Spirit in major decisions?

 

Reading 2: During this post Resurrection times the Church keeps before us the life that God invites us to enter into now and after death. She presents to us another vision of life in heaven. The image of the new, holy city of Jerusalem is the image of the exultant and victorious Church, the bride of Christ in all its beauty and perfection in eternity. We are that Church now and are called to be in eternity.

 

The Church is built upon the faithful people of the Old Testament, the prophets, the Apostles and all the baptized who have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb in baptism and the sacrament of Reconciliation.  In the center of this is the Father and Jesus, the Lamb, whose glorified life is the light of the city.

 

Gospel: We continue to read John’s narrative of the Last Supper in which Jesus gave a number of teachings as part of his last will and testimony. He speaks repeatedly of the centrality of love as a sign of our union with him and as a sign of our discipleship. He speaks of the need to keep his word because we love him. He teaches us the parable of the vine and the branches, reminding us that the Father loves us and as we love and keep his word, God will dwell in us and we in him.

 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches what later the Apostles will better understand and act upon. The Father and the Son will send the Holy Spirit. As our Advocate, helper, and intercessor, the Spirit will teach us everything concerning the truth revealed by God. Then Jesus reminds them that the peace he gives them is not a greeting but the fruit of salvation which brings life.

 

He tells them he is going away but will come back. He is referring not only to his upcoming death and resurrection, but also to his ascension and his second coming in glory.

 

His final teaching in the reading deals with the mystery of his Incarnation, being both God and Man. As God, he is one with the Father. In his humanity, the Father is greater than him, because for a time he emptied himself of his divinity in order to embrace our humanity and do the will of the Father, even to the death on the cross. It is only after the Resurrection and Pentecost and the ensuing years that the Church began to unpack these mysteries and acknowledge them fulfilled.

 We have human understanding into known situations, which helps us make decisions that impact our lives. In the same way we have the Gift of Understanding, which gives a new clarity to our knowledge of divine things, enabling us to make decisions that impact our spiritual life. In a vision Peter came to know that nothing God has created is unclean. This knowledge led to the understanding that God was calling the Gentiles into \his Kingdom.  Without the Gift of Understanding, the knowledge is incomplete. Pray for this Gift of Understanding as you read the Scriptures. Pray for this gift as you grow in your walk with God. For the decision you make have eternal consequences.

 Sixth Sunday of Easter Gospel C

Jesus said to his disciples: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.

· There are four things Jesus is reminding us of: 1) He loves us first;  2) Love is responded to by doing what the other has asked us to do; 3) As we act thus on the word of Jesus, we will experience the Father’s love for us in response; 4) this is experienced by the indwelling presence of God, which is a sharing in his own divine life.

· Does our life at this point reflect this teaching of Jesus? If not, what will we do to love him more by keeping his word?

Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me.

· Jesus shows us the consequences of not acting on his word in love. It amounts to rejecting him and the Father.

· Thus his word needs to be taken seriously. 

“I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you. 

· This is the second time during the Last Supper that Jesus speaks about the Holy Spirit to the Apostles.

· Again, he calls the Holy Spirit an Advocate. Jesus is our first advocate in the sense that he intercedes for us before the throne of the Father. Later on in John the Holy Spirit is a teacher, a witness to Jesus, and a prosecutor of the world.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. 

· This peace is more than a greeting. It is a gift of salvation leading to right relationship with God.

Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe.”

· Later, he will explain that his going will be for their benefit. First, he must go in order to send the Holy Spirit upon them. Second, he goes to prepare a place for them. 

· His first going away is his death on the cross; his return is the resurrection. The second going away is his Ascension; he will return in his second coming.

· When Jesus says that the Father is greater than him, he is referring to his humanity not his divinity. Because he says in other places that the Father and he were one.

· Again, a key theme in John’s Gospel is the need to believe in Jesus as the one sent by the Father as our Lord and Savior. To believe him is to embrace his word as the truth which will lead to eternal life.

 One of the gifts of sanctification we receive in Baptism is the Gift of Knowledge. This gift enables us to know what is best for us in our relationship with God. Human, natural knowledge gives us awareness of natural facts. Spiritual knowledge gives us awareness of spiritual  realities. It gives us the information we will need to make right decisions for our spiritual journey as sons and daughters of God.  Just as we depend on natural knowledge, so we depend on the gift of knowledge, without which we would be left on our own. Pray for this gift each day, so that the decisions you make will lead to life with God eternally. Come, Holy Spirit, stir in me the Gift of Knowledge so that the choices I make will be in accord with the will of God.

 There are many gifts of the Spirit which we received in Baptism and Confirmation. The ones given in Baptism---Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Piety and Fear of the Lord---are for our personal sanctification. and spiritual growth.  Are we tapping into these gifts? Wisdom enables us to perceive what is in the mind of God. Our human wisdom gives us human insight and awareness. The Gift of Wisdom gives us spiritual insight and awareness, leading us to a deeper union with God. Here is what St. Paul tells us: "We speak God’s wisdom, mysterious, hidden, which God predetermined before the ages for our glory...As it is written: 'What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him,' this God has revealed to us through the Spirit." (1 Cor 2:7, 9-10) Ask God for the gift of wisdom, so that all you are and do is in the will of God.

According to God's plan in the Scriptures, he pours out his Spirit with his gifts so that our witness can be validated to be from God and not ourselves. When a person is filled with the Holy Spirit and follows the lead of the Holy Spirit, then God can manifest the gift he wishes to be used in any given situation. Are we open to the gifts of the Holy Spirit? Most Christians have relegated these gifts of the Spirit to a former time or to a few special people. God doesn't force the gifts upon us. He gives us free will to use or not use them. If we have buried these gifts, will God not hold us accountable for them, even unused? Be not afraid to be open to the lead of the Holy Spirit, as he accomplishes the work he has been sent to do. Pray for a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit, then be attentive and act on his direction. Come, Holy Spirit, come.

 The third challenge I have been giving the confirmation candidates is openness to the move and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It was the Spirit who motivated Peter to go to the house of a Gentile and preached the Good News. It was the same Spirit that moved the community in Antioch to send Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary outreach. We should pray every day, 'Come, Holy Spirit, come. Use me today for the glory of God." He may ask us to do something simple or great. It may be as simple as call someone. It may be great as pray over someone for healing.  We are called to be open , responsive and step out in faith. Not everything is of the Spirit. That is why we must discern when, where and how the Spirit moves in our lives.

 The second challenge I have been giving to the Confirmation candidates deals with the Word of God. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we should be reading and reflecting on the Word of God on a regular basis. For the Word of God forms, corrects, encourages and strengthens us in our walk with God. But we are called to be disciple/witnesses as well. This means to be part of a bible study group, inviting others to study and share the Word with us. It is the "Come and see" invitation that the early disciples used to bring people to meet Jesus, who in turn will teach, convict and grace them. The study group is never to be closed entity, but always inviting others to come and share. If you are not part of a bible study group, ask the Spirit to put on your heart the people to ask to begin one. If you are part of a group, ask God whom does he want you to invite to share with you. Come, Holy Spirit, come!

 

Homily: Fifth Sunday of Easter Year C

 

Reading 1: Paul and Barnabas were signaled out by the Holy Spirit to go to the Gentile world to preach the good news of salvation in Jesus, the Risen Lord. Our reading is about the end of that first journey and their return to Antioch, Syria, where it began.

 

It says in the first part that they went to Antioch, Greece to bid farewell to the house church established there. What they said to the believers can be said to us today. Paul and Barnabas exhorted them to persevere in their faith in Jesus Christ. “It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.”

 

As the twelve apostles appointed deacons to take care of the needs of the people, so Paul and Barnabas appoint elders (priests) to continue the pasturing of the community as the disciples leave.

 

Then they returned to Antioch, Syria and related to the community that sent them how the Gentiles responded to the proclamation of the truth. And the Church gave glory to God.

 

Why were Paul and Barnabas so effective? They followed the lead of the Holy Spirit. They proclaimed the truth in the power of the Holy Spirit. They acted in love and not for selfish gain.

 

Reading 2: We are given in the Book of Revelation what we will experience if we persevere in faith, if we endure the suffering because of the name of Jesus, if we follow the lead of the Holy Spirit, if we love others as Jesus has loved us. What is that? To be with God forever in glory.

 

What does this look like? We will be in the new heaven and new earth; we will be the bride of Christ, adorned for her husband; we will be fully in the presence of God as his redeemed and glorified people. There God will wipe away every tear. There will be no more sadness, death or mourning, no more pain, because the old has passed and the new is eternal. This is the promise God has made and God has fulfilled in the lives of those who are with him now.

 

There is great joy and anticipation for our coming into the eternal kingdom where the glorified ones are glorifying God with songs, and shouts, with worship and praise. Are you excited?

 

Gospel: We are at the Last Supper. Jesus has washed the feet of the disciples, given them an example of service they needed to imitate. Then he gave Judas a last chance to desist from his intention to betray Jesus. But Judas was determine no matter what.

 

And now Jesus focuses on the eleven. In John’s Gospel the Last Super was an opportunity for Jesus to leave them his Last Will and Testament. He already showed them the example service. He will speak of the coming and role of the Holy Spirit; he will speak of the need for them to be one with him and with each other, as he is one with the Father; he will tell them that his departure, namely his death, will bring them sadness, but his resurrection will bring them joy. For he goes to prepare a place for them.

 

Our present Gospel selection speaks of two other subjects that Jesus left with them. First, that his death on the cross will give God glory and the Father will in turn raise Jesus up, revealing Jesus’ glory as Lord and Savior. The apostles had already heard Jesus talk about glorifying God and they heard the Father’s voice saying he will glorify Jesus soon.

 

The way Jesus will glorify God is the same way we are called to glorify him. Jesus chose to do the will of God, obediently even to the death of the cross. When we seek to do the will of God in all circumstances we are glorifying God. In so doing we are acknowledging that he is God and we are his creatures.

 

The second way Jesus glorified the Father was that he did the will of God out of love, not obligation or fear. He had an agape love for the Father. He gave his total self to the Father in all he did in his humanity. He tells the disciples and us, “As I have loved you, you must love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, your love for one another.” Paul and Barnabas lived this out in their missionary outreach. The saints in heaven are with God because they gave glory to God on earth by doing his will in love in spite of their hardships.  This is our call, to glorify God by doing his will, loving one another as he has loved us.

 The role of a disciples of Jesus is enhanced by the outpouring of the Spirit so that we can be a disciple/ witness. In administering the Sacrament of Confirmation this season I have given the candidates three challenges, which I wish to share with you. A committed disciple of Jesus celebrates the Eucharist every Sunday. In doing so, the disciple is giving thanks to God for all that God has done and is doing in one's life. Now, as a disciple/witness, we are called to invite others to share worship with us. "Come and see the One who has made a difference in my life." Not only are we to invite, but we must accompanied them for a period of time, until they are rooted back in the faith community. Then, as a disciple/witness we  invite another person. In this process, we ask the Holy Spirit to put on our heart the name of the person and the boldness to invite and accompany the person, as the person reintegrates into the faith community. 

 "In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because it intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will." (Romans 8:26-27)

One of the ways that the Holy Spirit fulfills Jesus' promise that he will not leave us orphans, is that we have many intercessors before the throne of God, including the Holy Spirit. Jesus intercedes for us. Mary and the Saints intercede for us. Wow! As St. Paul tells us in Romans, when we don't know how to pray or what to pray for, all we need to do is to turn to the Spirit, who intercedes for us according to the will of the Father. When was the last time you invoke the Holy Spirit to intercede for you? This is effective especially when we are praying over someone. We don't have to know the whole situation or what is essentially needed. The Spirit does. So we invoke the Spirit, who is the Spirit of Truth. What we are ultimately praying for is what is best for the person, according to the perfect will of God.

 The early Church learned to listened and followed the move and lead of the Holy Spirit as they grew in their role as witnesses. It was not easy and they made mistakes. They had to step out in faith many times.  Peter had a vision in which God revealed that nothing God created was unclean. Then the Spirit told him to go with Gentiles into a house of a Gentile. Even though this was forbidden by Jewish belief, Peter followed the Spirit’s guidance. How often has the Spirit asked us to do something out of our comfort zone and we dismissed it? Learn how to be attentive to this grace of the Spirit and step out of your comfort zone and act in faith. That is the only way to see what is of God and what is not. Come, Holy Spirit, use me.

 What does it mean to obey the Spirit? When the Apostles were confronted by the religious leaders for preaching about Jesus after having been told to desist, they responded that it was better to obey God, than men. It was the Spirit that anointed, empowered and urged them on in proclaiming Jesus as Lord and Savior. They were following the lead of the Spirit. They were being obedient to the direction of the Spirit. They submitted their lives to do what the Spirit told them to do, in spite of the consequences. How attentive do we listen to the move of the Spirit in our lives? Are we bold in faith to do what the Spirit urges us to do, in spite of any consequences? We have many timid Christians in comparison to those who are bold in the Spirit. Whom do you choose to obey? Yourself, the world or the Spirit? Come, Holy Spirit, stir in me the grace of faith and obedience.

 

Homily: Fourth Sunday of Easter Year C

 

Reading 1: “They were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.” Why? They just got themselves thrown out of town. They have experienced persecution and rejection. They experienced violent abuse. How can they still be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit? What was the source—besides the Holy Spirit—of this joy? The message they preached, they believed and lived. But more, the person of Jesus Christ.

 

They were convicted of the Father’s love for them and the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit.  They were committed disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. They were doing what God told them to do. Their focus was not the persecutions or rejections, but on doing the will of God who chose them and sent them.

 

Are we filled with joy and the Holy Spirit right now? During this past week? Is it possible that our focus has not been on our relationship with God, on doing the will of God consciously? Is it possible that we allowed ourselves to be so caught up with just getting through the day but forgot about the real purpose of our existence?

 

God was the center of their lives. Like Jesus, his will was their food. Does God want us to be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit? What needs to change and be done?

 

Reading 2: Who are these before the throne of God? Men and women from every place, time and culture, who in their life-time were filled with an inner joy and peace and the Holy Spirit. They survived the great period of trials and persecutions for their faith was in Jesus Christ. They kept their eyes on the Lord and his promises. They made choices that would bring them in right order with the will of God for them. They entrusted themselves to the Lord and longed for the joy of being in the Lord’s presence forever.

 

Were they any different from you or me? They were born, lived and died. They struggled, suffered, sinned. But the reason they are now at peace is that they came to the truth that set them free, the light that dispel the darkness, the path that leads to eternal life. They experienced Jesus and his saving message. They believed and embraced him and it. Everything from that point was measured against this relationship and reality.

 

Gospel: Do we want to be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit? Then follow the Lord Jesus, our Shepherd. Listen and be attentive to his voice in the silence of our hearts. Make him the reason why we do or not do something.

 

We have been given to Jesus by the Father. Nothing can snatch us from his hand. But I can choose not to follow him, listen to him. I can choose to leave him and focus on something else. But if I remain with and in him, then he promises eternal life with him.

 

This was the same message Paul and Barnabas preached, the same message those who washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb heard and acted on. It is the same message we hear. Do we want to be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit? The plan is clear. All we have to do is act on it. True, it is not easy. But we have the lives and witness of the countless number of people who are celebrating with God in eternity. They are interceding for us before the throne of God.

 

Luke 11:20 Moreover, if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then certainly the kingdom of God has overtaken you.

 

What is the finger of God? It stands for the power of the Holy Spirit. In this case, Jesus is countering the accusation leveled against his power over demons. He was accused of acting in the power of Satan. He responds that it is by the power of God, the power of the Holy Spirit that he delivers people from bondage. In his humanity, Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit in his signs and wonders. When we step out in faith and exercise one of the gifts of the Spirit, it is by the same power of the Holy Spirit we see the manifestation of God. Ask God for the release of the power of his Spirit in you. Come, Holy Spirit, come.

 In the Creed we profess that we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life. When we are regenerated in the waters of baptism, we are not only cleansed of sin but given a share in the Divine Life of God. We are baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. But it is the Holy Spirit that sanctifies us and sustains us in holiness, the life of God.  Just as we are not conscious of the breath in our lungs and the beat of our heart which sustains our human life, so we are not conscious of the life of God within us. Take some time to reflect on the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life, giving him thanks for a share in God's life now and hopefully eternally. Every moment is a gift from God to us. Live it faithfully in gratitude. Thank you, Holy Spirit, Lord and Giver of my life. Remain in me so that I can remain in you.

 One of the roles of the Holy Spirit is that of providing us opportunities to witness to others who Jesus is and what he has done. These opportunities are called divine appointments. They are not accidental encounters, but willed moments designed by God. How many of these have we kept and how many have we missed? For the most part, these divine appointments are not known to us ahead of time. They seem to just happen. It may be a casual encounter with a person at the doctor's office, while waiting for an appointment. It may be initiated by a name that suddenly comes to mind and persists during the day. We will probably only  know if these are divine opportunities in hindsight. But the important point is to be attentive to the move of the Spirit in our lives. Then in faith act on these impulses. In time we will become more sensitive to the grace of the Spirit, discerning what is of him and what is not. To prepare, pray each day "Come, Holy Spirit, use me today."

 One of the promises Jesus made to the Apostles and to us is that when he would return to the Father, he would not leave us as orphans. He promised to send another Advocate to be with us. He sent his Spirit to be our defender and comforter. Once we were baptized, we became the Temple of the Holy Spirit. We are never alone or abandoned on our journey to the Lord. The Spirit is with us and within us. That is a truth of revelation and a given fact. But how often are we aware of this truth and fact? When we feel lonely, do we turn to the Spirit present in us? When we are struggling, do we turn to the Sprit for strength? When we are confused, do we turn to the Spirit for clarity and direction? A treasure that is buried does no one any good. A treasure is to be used. Come, Holy Spirit. Stir up an awareness of your presence in my heart, so that I may never feel alone but have the comfort of your presence.

 Jesus tells us that the Spirit would testify about him and we are to testify as well. The Spirit is the one who reveals the truth about Jesus to us. We, in turn, are to testify to others about who Jesus is to us. That is one of the reasons we are confirmed, namely to be a witness, one who has had a personal encounter with Jesus, the Lord.  St. Peter in his First Letter makes this statement: "Venerate the Lord, that is ,Christ in your hearts. Should anyone ask you the reason for this hope of yours, be ever ready to reply, but speak gently and respectfully." (3:15-16).  Unfortunately, we fail in this, because we feel unequipped. That is the time to ask the Holy Spirit, not only to give you the opportunity to share your testimony, but the words to share as well in a way that will touch the person's heart. In other words, be attentive to the grace of the Holy Spirit. Then, step out in faith and share boldly.

 One of the amazing part of God's plan for the coming of the Holy Spirit into our lives is that it is not meant to be a  one time experience, like Baptism and Confirmation. The Apostles, Mary and the one hundred and twenty received the anointing of the Spirit at Pentecost for the purpose of proclaiming the Good New of God's love through the death and resurrection of Jesus. A short time later, as the Church began to experience the initial persecution by the religious leaders, the community of believers in Acts 4 responded by praying for a fresh outpouring of the gifts of Spirit, especially boldness. It says all were filled with the Holy Spirit, just as they were on Pentecost. What is the message? We should be praying regularly for a fresh outpouring of the gifts of the Spirit, so that we can more effectively witness our faith to others with signs and wonders as our credentials.  Come, Holy Spirit, come and stir up your gifts within me.