6TH SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR C: REFLECTION BY FR. JULIAN EKEH
THEME: THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
(John
14:23-29)
The Church calls
on us to listen to the promise made by Jesus. The promise is one that brings
about presence, a presence with essence, an essence that cannot be dismissed.
Yes, the Spirit of Christ is a vital force we can't live without. Jesus cannot
fathom leaving His disciples without assuring them of His Divine assistance.
The assistance of the Holy Spirit comes in different ways at different moments.
Hence, Jesus disposes them of some of the tasks the Holy Spirit will do in
their midst and in their lives, namely:
COUNSELLOR:
Jesus
anticipated the human elements that will try to suppress and overshadow the
divine will. Hence, the need for the Spirit. Jesus foresaw the battle between
the flesh and the spirit, hence the need for the fortification. Jesus took cognisance of the confusions that
may set in with His departure and devices a way out. Jesus could sense the
running helter skelter for information and won't want His followers to plunge
into deformation by misinformation. Therefore, He promises a way out. Do we
face crisis, confusion, and indecision? Jesus points out to us a true friend to
guide us and save us from spiritual mistakes. He is the Holy Spirit.
TEACHER
The teacher is
the one who impacts knowledge. He is one who leads one out of ignorance. He
ensures that the pupil knows the truth. And Jesus says you shall know the
truth, and the truth shall set you free. In the work of teaching, the Holy
Spirit takes up an ongoing task. He ensures that the mind of Christ is made
clearer to the disciples. Are you in doubt of the will of God for you? Have you
been made to believe false to be truth and truth to be false? Are you in the
classroom of the Father of all lies or under the foot of Jesus the way, truth,
and life? What do you really know about your faith? Are you docile to the
promptings and teachings as well as the inspirations of the Holy Spirit? Are
you an unteachable student in the school of the Holy Spirit? Are you an
attentive student? Do you take seriously the various packages the Holy Spirit
has endowed upon the Church for your growth? May the Holy Spirit teach us, and
may we take the instructions He speaks into our lives daily.
REMINDER
Remembrance is a
difficult thing to do most of the time. Jesus knew His disciples were likely
going to forget. Shortly after His death, some of them forgot the instruction
to stay in the upper room. They forgot even that Jesus would rise again. Peter
even forgot he promised to follow Jesus to the very end.
A lot of us
learnt a lot about our Christian faith at pedagogy. Some of us learnt a lot of
prayers. We were taught a lot of Christian values. But today, where are we? We
have forgotten, or we live as those who have lost their memory. We seem not to
remember our initial zeal. We seem not to take seriously our expected commitment;
we are preoccupied by care of life like the apostles who went back to their
fishing. Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit as a reminder to always keep us
conscious of our own promises and of the demands of the teachings we received.
Do you still
remember? If yes, kudos! If no, pay heed to the Holy Spirit, who will never
fail to remind you as He reminded the apostles.
RESTORER OF
CONFIDENCE
Jesus knew that
His going away physically may bring fear, heartbreak, and uncertainties. He
knew well the troubles they would face. He promised them His Spirit, who would
protect them from harm and give joy and peace to their troubled hearts.
What troubles
are you facing? Do you know that Christ in His omniscience has prepared the
Holy Spirit to see you through? Can you hear these words and experience peace
in your heart: "Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be
afraid." Receive back your confidence as a child of God, for through this
promise Jesus assures you that the Spirit is not of fear but of courage which
makes us cry ABBA FATHER.
May God bless
His word in our hearts.
LET US PRAY
Thank You, Lord
Jesus Christ, for your assuring promises today. We pray that You fulfil the
promise of sending us Your Spirit. May
we be disposed to allow the Third Person of the Holy Trinity to use us. May His
auction so function in us to the glory of God the Father and You Our Lord Jesus
Christ who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen
Happy Sunday
(6th Week of Easter Yr C)
Rev
Fr Julian O Ekeh
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