Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter
The readings for this day from Acts and John, coinciding with a popular May 4th greeting, inspire us of the enduring, empowering Holy Spirit (the "force" or advocate) promised by Jesus to guide believers through life's storms. In Acts 14:5-18 Paul and Barnabas rely on this “force” amid persecution, while John 14:21-26 highlights that loving God is proven through obedience and keeping the divine word, inviting the indwelling of the Father and the Son (which is the very “force,” if you will, of what we call the “Holy Spirit”).
In Acts, Paul and Barnabas face a volatile crowd in Lystra, moving from threats to misguided worship (they attempt to worship Paul as “Hermes” and Barnabas as “Zeus”). This highlights the instability of human favor and the necessity of focusing on God’s approval alone. This both apostles do. The miracle of healing by them and the message preached show that God's grace acts through believers, calling them to be witnesses, witnesses if you will, of the “force.”
In John, Jesus promises not to abandon his disciples, sending the “force” of the Holy Spirit—the Advocate or Counselor. This Spirit remains as a comforting, guiding presence through the ups and downs of life. The Gospel stresses that love for the LORD is not merely a feeling but is demonstrated by faithfulness. This faithfulness is the condition for experiencing the intimate, abiding “force” of God.
The "force" (the Holy Spirit) enables believers to stand firm when popularity fades. The approval of human beings is fickle while the “force” or "Advocate" of God is forever.
May the 4th be with you!
—Timothy J. Cronin