Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter
Tomorrow, we celebrate the Ascension of our Lord, and then Sunday, June 5 is Pentecost! Jesus’ ascension into heaven makes it possible for us to receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. As we look forward to Pentecost with eager anticipation, I’m mindful, too, that everyday can be a mini-Pentecost as we earnestly desire more of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Church helps us with this mindfulness in the daily readings in this latter part of the Easter season. Our texts help to build the excitement of Pentecost and inspire us to be more fervent in our desire to grow as disciples of Jesus, which is only possible as we become more and more Spirit-filled.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus assures us, “. . . when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth . . . He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine . . .” From this passage, I conclude that not only does the Holy Spirit guide us to the truth, but that all the things of God are made available to us through the Holy Spirit, as well. Our lifelong quest as disciples of Jesus is to be image-bearers of God with ever-increasing authenticity and to become more and more Christlike. We do this only in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Perhaps today and in the days leading up to Pentecost, we can practice being grateful for the Holy Spirit and ponder what an incredible gift the Spirit is to us. I always find it interesting to listen for how individuals address God when they pray extemporaneously. Most people have a typical and comfortable form of address. I hear a lot of people begin their prayer, “Father God . . .,” or “Heavenly Father . . .,” others tend to address their prayers to Christ, “Dear Jesus . . .” or “Lord Jesus . . .” I don’t hear many people commonly pray extemporaneously to the Holy Spirit. Maybe today affords us an opportunity to pray to the Holy Spirit specifically, seeking particular gifts, attributes, or assistance of the Spirit.
One approach to praying to the Holy Spirit could be to ask for a rekindling of the gifts of the Holy Spirit given to us in Confirmation. The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. Each of us have been given spiritual gifts at our Baptism. Today might be a good day to ask God to fan into flame those charisms so that we might better love and serve others and fulfill our role in the Body of Christ (see 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12). We might also pray to embody the fruit of the Holy Spirit more fully: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Maybe today you’re in special need of the Holy Spirit as your Advocate (John 14:26, 15:26, 16:7) or your Comforter (2 Cor. 1:3-7). When we don’t know how to pray, we can ask the Spirit’s intercession for us (Romans 8:26). If we’re feeling timid, we can ask the Spirit to give us power, love, and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7). When our minds are disordered, we can ask the Spirit to reorder and govern our minds with life and peace (Romans 8:6). These are just a few examples among the many, many ways that scripture tells us we can pray to and seek more of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
I’m also mindful that the gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit are not our ultimate pursuit. At the end of 1 Corinthians 12, the beautiful exposition on spiritual gifts, St Paul says, “Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.” Chapter 13 continues Paul’s thought with his exhortation to love. He concludes, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” (1 Cor. 13:13). It is only through the Holy Spirit that we can love one another with the perfect love of God. Today, let us confess our sin of loving imperfectly and ask the Holy Spirit to help us grow in love.
The same Resurrection power that blew away the stone from Christ’s tomb on Easter morning is the same power that is at work within you by the power of the Holy Spirit. God wants to empower you for Christ-like living! That power source is the Holy Spirit. As we seek the gifts, fruit, attributes, and assistance of the Spirit, let us remember that along with every gift comes the power to embody it, exhibit it, and live it. We are not left alone to our own devices and feeble efforts – no! We have the indwelling Spirit of God to enliven us. Thanks be to God for this incredible gift to us through Christ!
And now, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).
Elizabeth Wells