The
Counselor Will Be with You Forever
Introduction: May you be ever joyful, particularly as you realize the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life, bestowing upon you the gifts of the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit touches our lives in ways that empower us to live out our faith. The gifting by the Spirit is obviously evident in the manner in which believers live their lives. One of the signs of the presence of the Spirit is the joy that a Christian has, even in the midst of trials and hardships. The Holy Spirit continues to inflame the hearts of those who seek the Spirit’s presence. They are able to speak and act in a way that shows they are disciples of the Lord Jesus and share in His mission and ministry.
The Church continues to grow. This is obvious from our readings today. It grows through the preaching of the Gospel, the persecution of believers, and the coming of the Holy Spirit. Joyfully praise God that the Good News is announced and believers come into a closer relationship with God.
First Reading: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17
‘They laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.’
Commentary: The story of Acts is the spread of the Gospel to ‘the ends of the earth’. The first few chapters described the ideal Church at Jerusalem. All that was shattered by the persecution that erupted into Stephen’s martyrdom. The effect of things getting too hot in Jerusalem is that the Word of the Lord begins to spread beyond the city, and first to Samaria, the country region just north of Jerusalem. The peace of God’s Kingdom comes to the Samaritans in the form of liberation from sickness and the torment of various diseases. Luke notes for us the joy which this brings, a joy which is the sign of the Kingship of God. It is notable that the distinction between the gift of faith and the fuller gift of the Spirit is already marked in the same way as the distinction in the modern Church between baptism and confirmation. The apostles come to administer the sacrament, just as nowadays the bishop comes, marking the unity of the Church and the special position of the successors of the apostles.
Responsorial Psalm 66:1-3a. 4-5. 6-7a. 16, 20.
Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.
As a response to the Acts of the Apostles, we hear the psalm verse proclaim: “Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.” As more and more people accept the message of Jesus and are filled with the Holy Spirit (Who gifts people with joy), there is reason to cry out with joy. Joy is a mark of believers.
Second Reading: 1 Peter 3:15-18
‘Being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.’
Commentary: This final reading from the first Letter of Peter gives a heartening model for defence in persecution. In modern society, any persecution faced is more likely to be verbal mockery or contempt than bloodshed. A Christian stance on moral issues can so easily incur charges of narrow-mindedness or blindness. It is not always easy to keep one’s temper and give a fair and helpful reply ‘with courtesy and respect’, expressing the consequences of the Christian hope. Such a reply just might strike a chord deep down, rather than an explosive or sarcastic riposte, which merely deepens the divide. This can be a real and important Christian witness. The final sentences of the reading are helpful here, for the accounts of Jesus’ trial stress that Jesus himself was silent, like a lamb before its shearers, as the Suffering Servant of the Lord, in fulfilment of the scriptures. The passion account is full of irony and mockery, from the High Priest, from Pilate, from the soldiers; but if Jesus himself did not explode at the false accusations and mockery, but retained his dignified silence, we too should keep our cool and reply with courtesy.
Gospel: John 14:15-21
‘I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper.’
Commentary: Only in John is the Spirit whom the Father will send called ‘the Advocate’ or ‘the Paraclete’. Both names have the same derivation and the same meaning, but the former is from the Latin words, the latter from the Greek. It means someone ‘called to one’s side’ as a helper, principally as a defender in a lawsuit. The word ‘Paraclete’ also suggests comfort and strength, as implied in the quality paraclesis or perseverance. In the discourse after the Last Supper, when Jesus is preparing his disciples for their future task, there are four separate sayings about the Paraclete. The Paraclete is sent both by Jesus and by the Father, but always from the Father’s side. The Paraclete, the Spirit of truth, will teach the disciples everything and lead them into all truth, witnessing to the Father. The Paraclete is ‘another Paraclete’, that is, other than Jesus, who will make Jesus present when Jesus is no longer physically with them. The close link and interplay between these three figures give us not only the beginnings of the theology of the Trinity, but also a lasting confidence that Jesus is never absent from his Church. With the guidance and patronage of the Paraclete, the Church enters more and more deeply into the understanding of the divine mystery.
Reflection: What makes us both fully human and truly like God? Is it not unconditional love which is unselfish, undying, and wholly directed to the good of others? The love of God unites us in an unbreakable bond of fidelity, friendship, and community with others. Jesus loved his own until the very end of his passion and death on the cross (John 13:1).
The nature of love: From the very beginning of creation, God said: it is not good that man should be alone (Genesis 2:18). We were created in love for love - to be a community of loving persons, just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are inseparably united in a community of unbreakable love.
John Henry Newman (1801-1890) said: We love because it is our nature to love, and it is our nature because God the Holy Spirit has made it our nature. Jesus speaks to his disciples of the inseparable bound of love between himself and the Father, and of their love for humankind. In Jesus, we see the fullness of God's love and how God's love is directed to our well-being. In this, the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might have life through him (1 John 4:9).
Knowing God's love: How do we know that God truly loves each one of us? In the cross we see the proof of God's love for each of us and the incredible price God was willing to pay to redeem us from slavery to sin, death, and Satan. Jesus gave up his life that we might have life - abundant, everlasting life with God - a life of love and unity with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit forever.
Through the cross, Jesus opened a new way of relationship for us as the adopted sons and daughters of God - his beloved children (Romans 8:14-17). Jesus calls his disciples to walk in his way of love through obedience to the will of the Father. True love is more than sentiment, emotion, or good intention. As important as these may be, they are not the proof of sincere love. True love for God is expressed in obedience, and obedience is expressed in love.
Jesus' best gift for us: Jesus promised to give his followers the best of gifts, the Holy Spirit as their Counselor and Helper. How does the Holy Spirit help us as counselors? A counselor is a legal term for one who defends someone against an adversary and who guides that person during the ordeal of trial. The Holy Spirit is our Advocate and Helper who guides and strengthens us and brings us safely through the challenges and adversities we must face in this life.
The Holy Spirit is also the Giver of life - the abundant life which comes from God and which sustains us forever. The Holy Spirit also guides us in the way of truth, wisdom, and goodness. We can never stop learning because the Spirit leads us more and more into the knowledge of God's love, truth, and goodness. Jesus also promised his followers the gift of peace. Peace is more than the absence of conflict or trouble. Peace includes everything that makes for our highest good. Trust in God, faith in his promises, and obedience to his word lead us to peace and security in God's presence. That is why a Christian need not fear or be troubled by anything. The love of Christ brings immeasurable joy and consolation even in the midst of our trials and suffering. Paul the Apostle states,
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?... For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:35,38-39).
Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with the knowledge of Christ's immense love and with his gift of peace.
"O God, you are the unsearchable abyss of peace, the ineffable sea of love, the fountain of blessings and the bestower of affection, who sends peace to those who receive it. Open to us this day the sea of your love and water us with abundant streams from the riches of your grace and from the most sweet springs of your kindness. Make us children of quietness and heirs of peace; enkindle in us the fire of your love; sow in us your fear; strengthen our weakness by your power; bind us closely to you and to each other in our firm and indissoluble bond of unity. (ancient prayer from Syrian Clementine liturgy) "
“Did you receive the holy spirit?” (Acts 19:2): “You can recognize Him (the Spirit of truth).” —John 14:17
At the time of the Apostles, it’s likely that the evidence that someone had received the Holy Spirit was praying audibly in tongues and uttering prophecy (see Acts 19:6). Although the charismatic gifts of the Spirit are readily visible to others, they are not the only indicators as to whether a person has received the Holy Spirit.
How can others recognize whether or not you have received the Holy Spirit? “You can recognize Him because He remains with you and will be within you” (Jn 14:17). How can you recognize whether you received the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is unseen, but the fruit of the Spirit can be seen (Gal 5:22). Thus Jesus tells us to look for good fruit to discern whether or not someone has received the Spirit (Mt 7:16-20). Some examples are:
You keep Jesus’ commandments (Jn 14:15ff). You live in the truth, by the Spirit of truth (Jn 14:17). You persevere over time amid trials (see Rv 2:3). You love those who persecute you (Mt 5:44). Your life bears lasting, enduring fruit (Jn 15:5, 16). You witness to Jesus, for that’s what the Spirit does (Jn 5:16). You live a life of holiness, for the Spirit is holy (see 1 Pt 1:15-16).
You received the Spirit in the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, but are you living by the Spirit? (see Gal 5:25) “Did you receive the Holy Spirit?” (Acts 19:2)
Prayer: Father, I beg You to fill me with the Holy Spirit (Lk 11:13). “He who loves Me will be loved by My Father. I too will love him and reveal Myself to him.” —Jn 14:21: “Glory be to this only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Majesty, too, be His, might and power from ages past, now and for ages to come. Amen” (Jude 25).
The personal action for today: How have I experienced the outpouring of the Holy Spirit? Which one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit do I exhibit the most (wisdom, understanding, right judgment, courage [fortitude], knowledge, reverence [piety], and wonder and awe)? Which gift do I need the most at this moment in my life? How can I give witness to the Good News in a way that shows that I am filled with the Holy Spirit and am doing it with gentleness and reverence?
Saint Damien de Veuster of Moloka’i: When Joseph de Veuster was born in Tremelo, Belgium, in 1840, few people in Europe had any firsthand knowledge of leprosy, Hansen’s disease. By the time he died at the age of 49, people all over the world knew about this disease because of him. They knew that human compassion could soften the ravages of this disease.
Forced to quit school at age 13 to work on the family farm, Joseph entered the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary six years later, taking the name of a fourth-century physician and martyr. When his brother Pamphile, a priest in the same congregation, fell ill and was unable to go to the Hawaiian Islands as assigned, Damien quickly volunteered in his place. In May 1864, two months after arriving in his new mission, Damien was ordained a priest in Honolulu and assigned to the island of Hawaii.
In 1873, he went to the Hawaiian government’s leper colony on the island of Moloka’i, set up seven years earlier. Part of a team of four chaplains taking that assignment for three months each year, Damien soon volunteered to remain permanently, caring for the people’s physical, medical, and spiritual needs. In time, he became their most effective advocate to obtain promised government support.
Soon the settlement had new houses and a new church, school, and orphanage. Morale improved considerably. A few years later, he succeeded in getting the Franciscan Sisters of Syracuse, led by Mother Marianne Cope, to help staff this colony in Kalaupapa.
Saint Damien contracted Hansen’s disease and died of its complications. As requested, he was buried in Kalaupapa, but in 1936, the Belgian government succeeded in having his body moved to Belgium. Part of Damien’s body was returned to his beloved Hawaiian brothers and sisters after his beatification in 1995.
When Hawaii became a state in 1959, it selected Damien of Moloka’i as one of its two representatives in the Statuary Hall at the US Capitol. Damien was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on October 11, 2009.
Some people thought Saint Damien
was a hero for going to Moloka’i, and others thought he was crazy. When a
Protestant clergyman wrote that Damien was guilty of immoral behavior, Robert
Louis Stevenson vigorously defended him in an “Open Letter to Dr. Hyde.”