Come Holy Spirit!
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
First off, Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms and grandmas in our parish. I pray that you will be blessed today, with an outpouring of affection from your spouse, your children and others who are blessed by your maternal witness.
In two weeks, the Church will celebrate the Solemnity of Pentecost, the end of the Easter Season. In today’s Gospel passage from the 14th chapter of John’s Gospel Jesus tells His disciples that He will ask the Father to send another “Advocate” to be with them always. Jesus’ choice of words implies that He considers Himself the first “Advocate” (intercessor, supporter, or defender). Jesus calls the second Advocate, the “Spirit of Truth”. We know Him as the Holy Spirit.
In these last weeks of the Easter Season, I encourage you to pray “Come Holy Spirit!” Beg God to send the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, to lead our world into all truth.
It is interesting that rebel angel, Satan, who has been cast out of heaven to the earth (Rev. 12:9) is called the Father of Lies (Jn 8:44), the complete opposite of the Spirit of Truth. The Evil One distorts truth, confuses, and promotes chaos. The Spirit of Truth clarifies, illuminates, and brings order.
Most of us are baptized and have become Temples of the Holy Spirit. By being Confirmed, the gifts of the Spirit have been strengthened in us. But such gifts never impose themselves on their hosts. We must always cooperate with divine grace and be eager and receptive to the Spirit’s work in our lives.
We must surrender to the Holy Spirit, allowing the Spirit to guide us, reveal things to us and embolden us to do God’s work. We need the help of the Spirit of Truth, because the Father of Lies is at work to derail us from God’s work. If anyone doubts that, just look around and observe the distortion, confusion and chaos that seems to reign in so much of our world today.
As we approach Pentecost, fervently pray, “Come Holy Spirit!”
Sincerely yours in Christ Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life,
