Anticipate the Holy Spirit (HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE 7TH WEEK OF EASTER MAY 2023

HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE 7TH WEEK OF EASTER

Acts 19:1-8; Ps.68; John 16:29-33

Anticipate the Holy Spirit

Today we encounter Paul on his third missionary journey to Ephesus. He encountered some disciples of John who had become disciples of Jesus Christ. These disciples had received the baptism of John but Paul told them that they needed the baptism of Jesus. The baptism of John was that of repentance while that of Jesus was for the reception of the Holy Spirit.

The baptism of Jesus does not come as something original which discards the baptism of John as if it were fake; rather John’s baptism necessarily precedes Jesus’ baptism. Both become necessary for salvation. Again, it is not as if the baptism of John was devoid of the action of Christ. No! If it was ever able to wash away sins, it could only have been by the power of God because only God can forgive sins.

The lesson here is that we need both repentance and the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Sacrament of Baptism achieves the former for us while the sacrament of Confirmation achieves the latter for us. Both sacraments give character to the soul, that is, they may not be repeated. However, we need to continually fan into flames the graces of these sacraments in our soul. The sacrament of reconciliation offers us the opportunity to repent of the sins we commit after baptism while the feast of Pentecost is an opportunity to fan into flames the gifts we have received at confirmation.

Pentecost is a time for a renewal of the action of the Holy Spirit within us. This renewal calls for conscious preparation. Hence, the need to actively participate this in the on-going novena to the Holy Spirit. The apostles too remained the Jerusalem praying for the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit. When we adequately prepare for the Holy Spirit, we will feel its full effects in our lives; for Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. The Holy Spirit who is God, cannot be re-activated in hearts that are clouded with sin. Therefore, approaching the sacrament of reconciliation is highly recommended in our preparation for the coming of the Holy Spirit.