Sunday, May 14, 2023

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

(Acts 8:5-8.14-17; I Peter 3:15-18; John 14:15-21)

We've been hearing rumblings of Mother's Day for over two weeks. It seems that newspaper promotions have tried to sell things as diverse as tacos and Toyotas in our mothers' names. Today we hear rumblings of the Holy Spirit in the gospel. Within two weeks we will be celebrating Pentecost, his feast day. Perhaps we should pay close attention to what rumblings indicate since the Holy Spirit is God.

Jesus says that when he goes to his Father, he will ask Him to send us "another Paraclete", the Holy Spirit. The term “paraclete” may sound strange to us. What is a paraclete? And if the Holy Spirit is another paraclete, who was the first? Paraclete is the Greek word for a lawyer or legal advocate. In any society where Christianity is continually scrutinized (as it unfortunately is in ours), it is necessary to have a capable lawyer. While Jesus is with his disciples, he has acted as his advocate. We remember how he defended his disciples from the accusations of the Pharisees who worked on the Sabbath. Now the Spirit will defend them.

Of course, the Holy Spirit does not have a human form. He can't raise a voice like a lawyer in courtroom. Rather he permeates the atmosphere arranging the proceedings and inspiring his clients. The first reading tells of the apostles laying hands on the Samaritan converts to receive the Spirit lest they fall again under the spell of unclean spirits. The second reading does not mention him, but it is the Holy Spirit who will inspire Christians how to “give…the reasons for their hope”.

Jesus promises the Spirit on one condition. His disciples must keep his commandments. In this Gospel of Saint John the only commandment mentioned is to love one another as Jesus loves all. At first sight this commandment does not seem very difficult to obey.  After all, everyone in the community has the same basic formation and professes the same faith. However, we know that envy and rivalry can arise among the best people. Love requires that we humble ourselves like Jesus washing the feet of his disciples.

We need the Holy Spirit to face the thousands of challenges in a post-Christian society. Seeing our neighbors spending Sunday morning relaxing, we wonder why we must attend mass. Reading in the newspaper about the so-called rights to abortion and to gay marriage, we challenge ourselves to answer the false premises of these claims convincingly. The Spirit comes to our aid. He presents us with the truth of the Father and the Son so that we do not fail them in our lives. He inspires us with understanding and wisdom so that our words are on target and our actions consistent with them.

In the Acts of the Apostles there is a reference to the Holy Spirit that is both entertaining and characteristic of life today. Saint Paul asks some disciples if they received the Spirit when they embraced the faith. They reply that they have not even heard of the Holy Spirit. Even though all Christians today may have heard of the Holy Spirit, not all have taken advantage of his support. He stands with us to defend us in our troubles. We can count on the help of the Holy Spirit.