During the remaining weeks of the Easter Season, we hear more readings about the Holy Spirit that will lead us to the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord, and to the Feast of Pentecost. The first reading today directly refers to the “laying on” of hands to receive the Holy Spirit! (Do you remember your Confirmation?)
This Sixth Sunday of Easter Jesus promises that he will not leave us orphans. He will send us an Advocate, the Spirit of Truth. The person of the Holy Spirit is with us always to empower us to love and to fulfill the personal law of God: the commandments and the Love Law. Jesus reminds us to keep His commandments, for those who observe them are the ones who love him, and they will be loved by the Father.
St. Peter tells us to “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts.” If you have life in the Spirit, you have “a reason for your hope.” Living in the true spirit of our faith, St. Peter advises us to be gentle and reverent and to keep a clear conscience; and to suffer for good rather than evil, as did our Lord. You do not have to do this alone, however, because we are never alone. By our baptism we have put on Christ, His presence is within us to empower us with hope and love in difficult times.
When we are filled with the light of this Spirit of Truth, and armed with the blessing of the Lord’s Commandments to help make our choices apparent, we have “the freedom to love, to choose what is good in every situation, even when to do so is a burden” (Pope and Saint John Paul II). The commandments of the Lord free us from the deception and dishonesty in which the world conspires to ensnare us, and the Holy Spirit strengthens and carries us past the temptation and glamour of sin.
Last week we heard Jesus say, “I am the way, the truth and the life…” As the Psalm today says: “Let all the earth cry out to God with joy. Sing praise to the glorious name!” That, certainly, is the Truth.
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
This Sixth Sunday of Easter Jesus promises that he will not leave us orphans. He will send us an Advocate, the Spirit of Truth. The person of the Holy Spirit is with us always to empower us to love and to fulfill the personal law of God: the commandments and the Love Law. Jesus reminds us to keep His commandments, for those who observe them are the ones who love him, and they will be loved by the Father.
St. Peter tells us to “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts.” If you have life in the Spirit, you have “a reason for your hope.” Living in the true spirit of our faith, St. Peter advises us to be gentle and reverent and to keep a clear conscience; and to suffer for good rather than evil, as did our Lord. You do not have to do this alone, however, because we are never alone. By our baptism we have put on Christ, His presence is within us to empower us with hope and love in difficult times.
When we are filled with the light of this Spirit of Truth, and armed with the blessing of the Lord’s Commandments to help make our choices apparent, we have “the freedom to love, to choose what is good in every situation, even when to do so is a burden” (Pope and Saint John Paul II). The commandments of the Lord free us from the deception and dishonesty in which the world conspires to ensnare us, and the Holy Spirit strengthens and carries us past the temptation and glamour of sin.
Last week we heard Jesus say, “I am the way, the truth and the life…” As the Psalm today says: “Let all the earth cry out to God with joy. Sing praise to the glorious name!” That, certainly, is the Truth.
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
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