Gospel: John 15:26-27; 16:12-15
Jesus said to his disciples:
“When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father,
the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father,
he will testify to me.
And you also testify,
because you have been with me from the beginning.
“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.
But when he comes, the Spirit of truth,
he will guide you to all truth.
He will not speak on his own,
but he will speak what he hears,
and will declare to you the things that are coming.
He will glorify me,
because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.
Everything that the Father has is mine;
for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine
and declare it to you.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
The Mass intention is for Saturday Vigil Mass James Ritchie RIP. Holy Cross 9.30am Nicholas Williams RIP and OL Eugene & Teresa Kostelecki RIP.
Reflection:
During a Council of Priests Meeting, the Archbishop put forward an idea before his priests. However, he noticed that they did not agree with it. Sensing this, he withdrew his idea and told them “The Holy Spirit is also with you.” Today is a big celebration because the Holy Spirit – the Advocate that Jesus was referring to in the Gospel – is sent to the early Christians. His coming was so powerful that our forebears in faith were able to speak in different tongues. His coming inaugurated the Church! The growth of the Church was made possible because, as Jesus promised, the Holy Spirit “will guide you to all truth.” Despite hardships and persecutions, the Church continues to thrive not because of her own efforts, but because of the Holy Spirit’s presence in her.
The pandemic has put our faith to the test. As the lockdown is gradually lifted, we look forward to re-gathering our community around the table of the Lord. This is not just the work of a few people. Lest we forget, the Holy Spirit is not only in our Pope, bishops, priests, deacons, and religious. The Holy Spirit is also with you! The Holy Spirit is with everyone because we are the Church! Each of us bears the gifts of the Holy Spirit, gifts that are meant to be shared, proclaimed, and celebrated. Keeping these gifts for ourselves or even doubting we have them would be an insult to the Lord who took pains in sending the Spirit to us. As St Paul writes “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7).
- How do you open yourself to the Holy Spirit?
- How do you affirm the presence of the Holy Spirit in others?
- How can you help in re-gathering the parish around the table of the Lord?
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word today. Grant us a heart to always ready to welcome and be inspired by the Holy Spirit so that we may courageously testify to You. Amen.
(Pietro)