The Holy Spirit Presence

Scripture/Bible:  "I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. John 16:12-15

Reflection:  If ever there is a message to be communicated, way beyond an individual’s capacity to absorb, then there are many possibilities available in our modern times,.  You could write it down on paper for the individual or you could speak it out on a recorder or could save it on one of the storage devices or could make a small power point or audio visual or a video or film.

The scope is immense and there are people who have great faith in these modern devices. It is a virtual world or knowledge world where everything is available at the click of a button.

Jesus, when he spoke to the apostles had few options, either to write it out himself or catch hold of a scribe and get things written for the dedicated disciples, instead of telling them that they will have the help of the Holy Spirit.

Who knows, the Holy Spirit is beyond doubt faithful, but what about the human recipients; could they assimilate what the Holy Spirit would bring to mind?

On the other hand we also know that Jesus has not written things down and he felt that there was no real need to write things down, proving that we are not saved by the Bible but the Lord of the Bible.

Instead, what is required of his chosen is to be attuned to the Holy Spirit who still continues to guide and speak the word. This along with the tradition and magisterium is required to stay on course in the pilgrim journey.  It means that if you make a mistake or fail to absorb, the Holy Spirit is still there to remind you again and again, unless you suppress him totally and that would not be a Christian thing to do. 

The fact that Jesus who could see all things, including the future, has assured his dedicated disciples of the great need of the Holy Spirit, then it means that whatever books or knowledge or modern means may be available to us, ultimately, it is his presence with us in the power of the Holy Spirit that is going to make the difference between the dedicated disciples and others in the world.

The source from where it comes is more important than the message and how it comes to us is more important than its interpretation, and whom it comes from is more important than the content.

Prayer:“Teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God! Let thy good spirit lead me on a level path! Ps 143:10

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

God is not just Up

Scripture/Bible:  But Jesus answered them, "My Father is working still, and I am working." 18 This was why the Jews sought all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the Sabbath but also called God his Father, making himself equal with God.

19 Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever he does, that the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows him all that he himself is doing; and greater works than these will he show him, that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. 22 The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me, has eternal life; he does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. 25 "Truly, truly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself, 27 and has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of man. 28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment. 30 "I can do nothing on my own authority; as I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. John 5:17-30

Reflection:  We worry, we fret about things and get worked up about small matters. If this is how we handle small things then how will we handle the bigger challenges of life?

As Christians it is never an excuse to be worrying about anything, more so since we believe in a God who is provident and is with us.

We worry as if God is distanced from us and that he created a world and left it to humans to work on it.  Worst still, at a universal and external level we are worried and worked up and prepare a plan and agenda to save the planet earth and talk about global warming and interpret the signs of the time as purely a creation of human greed rather than attributing it to human sin; the rejection of God and his plan.

Jesus in this Gospel text is clearly communicating to us that he is still working and that his Father is working still.   In other words; God is still at work in creation and that creation exists and things still move and days and night still in place and the livestock, crops and vegetations still produce, is all because of his providence. (Cfr. Mt. 6:25-33)

Further, God in Christ Jesus further bridges the gap between him and us and that very reason he was working still as the incarnate Son of God (cfr. 2 Cor. 5:19). In the necessary death and resurrection of Jesus, Emmanuel, God has made himself present with us all the more and in every way identifies with our human sufferings, pains and trials.  No longer is he just a provident God but he is now a God who is at work in us to will and work with us for our eternal Salvation. (Phil. 2:13)

Prayer:   Lord, to you I come as my Savior and redeemer, save me by helping me recognize your presence with me.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us