This week’s Clergy Corner
taken from the May 10th Bulletin:
The sixth Sunday of Easter prepares us for the Ascension of Jesus; it calls us to ponder how much we need the descent of his Holy Spirit. Jesus promises “another Advocate.” The Holy Spirit, which Jesus promises us, comes to help us in our needs. The Paraclete will comfort us, console us and of course give us strength for the battle.
What are some of the ways in which the Holy Spirit helps us? What does the Spirit teach us? This is the power of the Spirit at work. Poured out into the heart comes to make us a new creation. The Spirit is sent by the eternal Father and by Jesus to give us light, comfort, and strength, and to stir up within us a newness of life. Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” We prove our love for God by keeping His commandments. What are these commandments? Well, in John’s gospel, they are practically summed up in two basic attitudes: Acceptance of Jesus as the One sent by God—which means recognition of him as our guide in life, as our Lord and master—and, secondly, love of our brothers and sisters.
We, therefore, obey the first commandment of Jesus when we resolutely place him at very center of our lives, when we adopt his values and judgments on things, when we seek to imitate his example in all the details of our existence. We obey the second commandment of Jesus when we serve those around us according to our situation in life: as a parent, a son, or daughter, a spouse, a friend, a relative, a neighbor, an employer or employee, a workmate.
Jesus declares that authentic love is expressed not by words but by deeds. He’s, “Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the who loves me.” Only through generous and faithful self-giving and through obedience to God’s will is true love shown.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that the knowledge of faith that allows us to call Jesus Lord, and to call God our Father, is possible only in the Holy have been “touched” by the Holy Spirit (section 683). And St. Paul also teaches, that “no one can say, Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit” (1Cor 12:3).
Our age has been characterized as the age of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was infused in us at our baptism hearts and deepen our understanding of all the teachings of Jesus. How do I know if I have been touched by the Holy Spirit?
– Fr. House of Charity ( Fr. Cosme)