The scriptures for the first reading for mass today from the book of Acts, explains how the people of Samaria received the Holy Spirit when Peter and John laid hands on them and prayed for them. Peter and John were evidently concerned about the Samaritans, because although they had been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, they had not yet received the gift of the Holy Spirit.
You can’t help but wonder if the Samaritans received the gift of the Spirit in a more visibly pronounced way than we do in modern times, when we receive the sacrament of confirmation. The scriptures give the impression this was so, at least in an external manner. It could also be because most modern Catholics are naturally more reserved. This isn’t the case with our modern day charismatic Catholics though. The Holy Spirit is joyfully externalized during their masses.
Our readings for mass this week have talked a lot about the Holy Spirit too and so does Jesus in today’s gospel. Jesus said, “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.”
The Holy Spirit is often called the Advocate. But did you happen to notice when Jesus said, “he will give you another Advocate”? Jesus Christ himself is our first and most important Advocate. He is on our side and will defend us from false accusations or people who attempt to treat us unjustly. Jesus went on to call the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth because the Holy Spirit can not be deceived by anyone. Remember when Jesus told his disciples:
“When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” ~ Mt 10:19-20
The Holy Spirit knows how to get to the bottom of things and prove what is true or not. If we remain in a good relationship with Jesus, he will send the Spirit to protect us and defend us.
Christ said in today’s gospel that we are never alone. “I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you.”
There are so many lonely people in the world. Most of us have experienced loneliness at some point in our lives, whether we are single or married. Even the clergy and religious get lonely sometimes times too. Loneliness is a universal human experience. Perhaps we go through this empty period in our lives, because it causes us to draw near to Jesus. Whenever other people are not there for us emotionally, there is no where one else to turn to, but Jesus. Jesus becomes our closest friend during these periods of isolation and loneliness. We discover this treasure sometimes because of the darkness in our own lives.
Jesus said in today’s gospel that, “I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you.” We are not bystanders, but participants in the life of the Trinity. Jesus also said in today’s reading that the Holy Spirit “remains with you, and will be in you”. The love of God is not an abstract concept, but a personal reality. The reason we may not be able to feel Christ’s deep and abiding love for us might be because of several reasons, one of which he mentions in today’s gospel:
“Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.”
Small sins are like dust that coats the heart, and blocks out the light of the soul. Regular confession helps to remove even these small sins, and prayer opens our hearts to God’s grace. Confession and prayer from the heart are the paths to a deeper union with Christ. Our spirit can not come alive, or feel peace, love, joy – without the Holy Spirit taking up residence in our hearts. The more we give our hearts to Jesus in prayer, and through confession, the more room there is for Him to come and live within us. We will never feel alone again, as long as we continue to make room for the Spirit, to thrive inside of our hearts. Jesus will love us and reveal himself to us in a much deeper way than we ever thought possible.
Sunday Mass Readings:
Acts 8: 5-8 / Psalm 66: 1-7, 16, 20 / 1 Peter 3: 15-18 / John 14: 15-21
