COLLECT: “GRANT, ALMIGHTY GOD, THAT WE MAY CELEBRATE WITH HEARTFELT DEVOTION THESE DAYS OF JOY, WHICH WE KEEP IN HONOUR OF THE RISEN LORD, AND THAT WHAT WE RELIVE IN REMEMBRANCE WE MAY ALWAYS HOLD TO IN WHAT WE DO. THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOUR SON, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU IN THE UNITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, GOD, FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN”.
Acts 8:5-8,14-17; Ps 65:1-7,16,20; 1Pt 3:15-18; Jn 14:15-21
“GIVE A CHANCE TO, AND COOPERATE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT TO BE WITH YOU AND WORK THROUGH YOU”.
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept,…”.
Jesus knew his disciples’ hearts would trouble them and they would be saddened as he was soon going to leave them (Jn 14:1ff). The disciples were sure that what their Master was going through, they would equally encounter after he was gone. The world would not accept them for witnessing to the truth. Therefore, to make them comfortable and composed, he promised them the Advocate-the Spirit of God himself (the Holy Spirit), who would come, after Jesus was off the scene from this world, to take care of and guide the disciples.
The regenerating power of the Spirit came to the disciples just before Jesus’ ascension into heaven to be glorified (Jn 20:22), when Jesus breathed onto them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit, if you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven…”. Finally, the Spirit was poured onto all those who believed on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2), ten days after Jesus ascended into heaven.
The Holy Spirit, the Advocate, the third Person of the Holy Trinity, is the very constant presence of God within all believers (Jn 14:17) especially after Pentecost. He teaches believers what to do and say (Jn 14:26). He helps believers to live the way God wants, He convinces us of sin, shows us God’s righteousness and announces God’s judgment on evil (Jn 16:8). He helps and strengthens believers to build Christ’s Church here on earth. He guides believers into the truth and provides insight into future events (16:13). He brings the glory of Christ to people (16:14). He empowers believers to become bold and fearless witnesses.
The Holy Spirit can perform the above only in a person who believes and has faith in Jesus Christ. Such a person loves Jesus and perseveres in keeping His commandments and carrying out God’s will. Such is the person who, in the midst of persecution and tribulations, but out of love of God, has every cause to gently but with reverence, justify and offer reasons for one’s unfailing and enduring belief.
Considering our world today and what goes on in it, the world is in dire need of the Holy Spirit. It is like certain human activities have pushed the Holy Spirit into a corner, not allowing Him to work. There is a need to rekindle the Holy Spirit in our world and in our lives. Certain human activities have put people in the. In contrast, others continue to live in fear and in the slavery of sin and Satan instead of freeing people and promoting human dignity. Such people are our “modern Samaritans” who are looking and waiting for the “Philips” of our time to proclaim Christ and His liberation to them.
People are being persecuted every day for standing for and pointing out the truth and what is right. Their names and characters are deformed, and lies are told on/about them. Lots of people suffer in the world for doing what is good and just, and for making all the efforts to develop people and the communities where they find themselves. Those suffering because of the above, please, be consoled by St. Peter’s pastoral advice in today’s second reading to the persecuted: “If it should be God’s will that you suffer (if you are suffering or persecuted for a just/good course), it is better to do so for good deeds than for evil ones”, imitate the Lord, especially, in times of trouble and give the Holy Spirit the chance to act.
There are so many painful lives affected by broken relationships. Such people need the “modern Peters and Johns” to lay their hands on them to receive the Holy Spirit to soothe, console and comfort them. We recall to mind the numerous broken marriages and betrayals in the world. People who suffer the consequences are innocent children. Let us pray for victims of broken marital relationships. Innocent lives are tortured and terrorized everyday in the world by merciless and heartless terrorists, militants and armed robbers, as well as scammers. The Holy Spirit is needed to touch, soften and transform such hardened and “rocky” hearts into hearts of flesh and hearts of love.
There are so many people in the world with shattered dreams, their dreams are not realized and therefore they are going through serious and severe disappointments, they are going through physical and mental ills and torturing guilt. We need the “Philips”, the “Peters” and the “Johns” of our time to bring the Holy Spirit to them to let them know that they are not alone in their pain but that Jesus loves them and is taking care of what they are going through. Let us today give the Holy Spirit a chance and cooperate with Him to use us to bring His fruits to people and to the world at large. Stay blessed.
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL MOTHERS. MAY YOU BE REALLY GOOD MOTHERS TO YOUR CHILDREN AT HOME.
WE MEDITATE TODAY, SUNDAY, ON THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES: ‘THE RESURRECTION, THE ASCENSION, THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, THE ASSUMPTION, AND THE CORONATION’. (WE PRAY FOR FAITH, HOPE, LOVE OF GOD, GRACE OF A HAPPY DEATH AND TRUST IN MARY’S INTERCESSION) “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen”.
PRAYER: “ALMIGHTY EVER-LIVING GOD, WHO RESTORE US TO ETERNAL LIFE IN THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST, INCREASE IN US, WE PRAY, THE FRUITS OF THIS PASCHAL SACRAMENT AND POUR INTO OUR HEARTS THE STRENGTH OF THIS SAVING FOOD. THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN”.
Rev. Fr. Aloysius Kpiebaya, Catholic Diocese of Wa, UW/R, Ghana. (00233) 0207867239/0545462863. Email: aloybaya20@yahoo.com
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