Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter
I have the wonderful opportunity to work on the team that prepares the 8th grade students at our parish for Confirmation. Throughout the course of the program we discuss the Holy Spirit and His presence in scripture, in salvation history, and in our lives as disciples. As part of their preparation, the students choose a “patron saint” whose name they will take at the time of Confirmation. During our gatherings, the students create and paint icons of their saints, and they are encouraged to reflect upon how the Holy Spirit has been evident in their saint’s lives. As we discuss these holy men and women who are from many different lands and many different times, it is easy to see that the Holy Spirit is essential for growing in holiness and becoming Disciples of Christ.
In the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Paul asked the disciples at Ephesus if they had received the Holy Spirit. They responded, “We have never even heard there is a Holy Spirit.” (Acts 19:2) Paul then explained that they must be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, and he “laid hands upon them” and the Holy Spirit came upon them. It is this Spirit that allows the disciples not only to speak in tongues and prophesy, but to preach the good news. Paul, who was filled with the Spirit, “debated boldly with persuasive arguments, about the Kingdom of God” (Acts 19:8) to all those in Ephesus. Through the work of the Spirit, more and more people came to know Christ and became followers of His Way.
It is this same Spirit who Jesus promises to send His disciples to help with the challenges of this world. In the gospel reading, the disciples think that they understand clearly what Jesus is trying to say. “Now we realize that you know everything... Because of this we believe that you came from God.” (John 16:29-30) Jesus, however, realizes that “the hour is coming” when the disciples would be scattered and abandon Him out of fear. He reassures them, that “the Father is with me” and tells them this so “you might have peace in me. “ (John 16:32-33) Jesus knows that the disciples will face many obstacles in following Him, but he says, “take courage, I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33) It is the Spirit and His gifts of wisdom and courage that Jesus promises to His followers. It is only with the power of the Spirit that the disciples are able to truly understand Jesus’ message and to boldly live out that truth in this world. Jesus knows that the disciples will only know His peace when they are able to live lives filled with His Spirit
Although I received the sacrament of Confirmation long ago (like many of you), these scripture readings help me reflect on how important the Holy Spirit is in helping me live as a disciple of Christ. I invite everyone to take time today to think about the gifts of the Spirit and recognize where and how the Spirit could be more active in our lives. Can we see situations where we need more wisdom, understanding, and courage? Maybe we recognize a lack of piety, fear of the Lord, knowledge and counsel in our daily living. Like the 8th grade Confirmation students maybe we can look to the saints (maybe even our Confirmation patron saint) to help us better understand what it means to live a holy life filled with the Spirit. If we are open to the outpouring of the Spirit, we can be empowered and can go forth boldly like St. Paul sharing the Good News about the Kingdom of God, and encouraging others to follow Christ.
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus who brings us salvation through His life, death and resurrection. Because He knows our human weakness, Jesus recognizes our need for divine assistance. In childlike trust, we ask you to pour down your Holy Spirit upon us, so we may grow in holiness as we imitate your Son in our thoughts, words and deeds. May the fruit we bear through our lives filled with your Spirit bring you glory and praise. We pray this for you are our loving God, Father, Son, and Spirit now and always, AMEN.
-Marylynn Herchline