The unquantifiable role of the third person of the Divine Trinity-HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER 10th may 2022

THE PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE CHURCH

Acts 12:24-13:5; Jn 12:44-50

Central to the readings of today is the indispensability of the Holy Spirit in the Church. The unquantifiable role of the third person of the Divine Trinity, the advocate of truth, in the Church is visibly ascertained even in the first reading from the Acts 12:24-25;13:1-5. As the church in Antioch grew and many were converted, we are told that while they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said “set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them”. Then after fasting and prayer they laid hands on them and sent them off ” (Acts 13:1-3). Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, the Holy Spirit is readily present to the church at all times; at moments of persecution when trouble menaced the church, the Holy Spirit remained to comfort and strengthen the church; at moments of confusion and ignorance, the Holy Spirit remained to guide and enlighten the church; at moments of despair and sorrow, the Holy Spirit prevailed over the church to grant her uplift and fulfilment in her vocation. The call of Barnabas and Saul reveals to us indisputably that the Holy Spirit is the giver of vocations and that the missionary work of the church is the work of the Holy Spirit. He is the one who calls, who equips and leads us in our vocation. Beloved in Christ, outside of the Holy Spirit we will not understand the mysteries and plans of the kingdom of God. In John 12:40-50, despite the declaration of Jesus, “ I the light have come into the world so that whoever believes in me need not stay in the dark anymore”, yet some of the Jews did not accept his words. This is simply because their hearts were closed to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Thus, were spiritually blind, spiritually deaf and remained in the dark. Only in and through the Holy Spirit can we understand the revelations of God for our vocations and mission of the Church.

Dear child of God, lets us draw nearer to the Holy Spirit, lets us learn to invoke the Holy spirit more often when we face persecutions, difficulties, exhaustion, or discouragement in our daily lives and He will never forsake us.

PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

*Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. 

*Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

LET US PRAY

Oh Holy Spirit, You are the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity. You are the Spirit of truth, love and holiness, proceeding from the Father and the Son, and equal to Them in all things. I adore You and love You with all my heart. Teach me to know and to seek God, by whom and for whom I was created. Fill my heart with a holy fear and a great love for Him. Give me compunction and patience, and do not let me fall into sin.

Increase faith, hope and charity in me and bring forth in me all the virtues proper to my state of life. Help me to grow in the four cardinal virtues, Your seven gifts and Your twelve fruits.

Make me a faithful follower of Jesus, an obedient child of the Church and a help to my neighbor. Give me the grace to keep the commandments and to receive the sacraments worthily. Raise me to holiness in the state of life to which You have called me, and lead me fervently through the journey of salvation.

Look with mercy on your servants who are persecuted for their faith in you. Grant them perseverance and courage to be worthy imitators of Christ. Bring your wisdom upon leaders of nations to work for peace among all peoples. May your Spirit open conversion for those who contradict your will, that we may live in harmony and peace.

Give us the grace to be united in truth and freedom, and to always seek your will in our lives. Grant me also, O Holy Spirit, Giver of all good gifts, the special favor for which I ask {name special petition}, if it be for Your honor and glory and my well being. Amen.