Walking with the Holy Spirit
In the Gospel this weekend Jesus explains to the Apostles the many ways in which they will not be abandoned after his ascension into heaven. After the resurrection, the Apostles remember that they can trust His Word because they recall Jesus’ promise that the Father will send an Advocate to be with them.
In the first reading this weekend, we hear about how Philip first went to Samaria. This was shortly after the martyrdom of Stephen and the beginning of the first persecution of the early Church. Philip could not be sure of a positive reception. Philip had escaped to the northern province and found himself among the Samaritans, a mixed-race group who expected the Messiah but were considered heretics by the Jews. But Philip proclaimed Christ and by his authentic witness won over the people. Through Philip’s ministry people came to faith in Jesus.
The power Philip drew on was not his own but the promised presence of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, promised by Jesus in today’s Gospel to all who love him and keep his word. Jesus promises us in today’s Gospel that he will not leave us orphans.
Like Philip, we will never have to work alone: The Holy Spirit will be there to give us courage and strength so we can share about the hope we have in Christ with joyful hearts. We can trust Jesus believing that out of complete and utter love for humanity, Jesus remains with us.
The Apostles accompanied one another in their community of faith, and they walked with those who had recently responded to God’s call to know the truth, as we see with the newly baptized in Samaria.
Walking with others is a wonderful way to be Christ to others. In our world today, it is easy to feel disconnected and alone. By sitting with someone in a time of grief, listening to the questions of a friend who is struggling, or rejoicing with a friend in response to good news, we accompany others through life’s ups and downs. Walking with others is a powerful way to proclaim Christ’s love and help others to have the courage to do the same thing.
We need to prepare ourselves to walk with others and to be witnesses of Christ’s love. In the second reading Saint Peter reminds us “Always be ready to give others a reason for your hope”. Pray to the Holy Spirit to arrange divine appointments and then trust that the Holy Spirit will provide opportunities to walk with others. Then reach out to someone who is alone, offer to pray with someone who is having problems, or invite someone to a parish event.
The Holy Spirit will provide us opportunities to walk with others if we ask him, and the Holy Spirit will then work in their hearts to hear the hope we have in Jesus Christ.
Deacon Michael Braun