We often read about the Holy Spirit in the Bible. Who is this Holy Spirit and what is his function? The Book of Genesis gives us some answers. We read: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and void, there was darkness over the deep, and God’s Spirit hovered over the waters” (Gen. 1:1-2). Thus, according to Genesis, at first there was only disorder and chaos. But then the Holy Spirit came and, besides putting everything in careful order, created a beautiful, living universe, with man as the pinnacle of everything. Unfortunately, we also read how man sinned when he disobeyed God. Because of this, our nature is now divided – our lower nature being attracted to evil, our higher nature wanting to please God. What does the Holy Spirit do about this? He helps us to overcome our sinful nature so that we can become pleasing to God.
There is still one more point. When Jesus came into the world, the Holy Spirit always encouraged Him to do the Father’s will. This is also His mission in our life. Besides enlightening our minds so that we can understand the things Jesus said, He works tirelessly to help us conform our will to that of the Father. We call this Spirit of God: the HOLY SPIRIT – holy because He is a divine Being full of goodness and wisdom, and eager to share His holiness with us. We are human, with human tendencies and temptations. It is for this reason that we need the Holy Spirit. Because He is so powerful and holy, He is the surest way by which we can overcome our sinful nature and become holy, like Jesus.
In this Sunday’s Gospel, we read that Jesus breathed on the apostles and said: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive men’s sins, they are forgiven them; if you hold them bound, they are held bound.” With this blessing, the apostles received the courage to proclaim Jesus to all the nations. And for us, who have accepted and believed in Jesus, should affirm that the Holy Spirit is Light in darkness; Comfort in trouble; Rest in labor; Coldness in heat; and Warm in cold. The Holy Spirit heals our hearts and wills; guides our steps that go astray. Yes, He gives joys that never end. He reconciles us with God and man. He renews our spirit in the reception of the sacraments. May God give us courage to imitate the apostles to do this task and share it to our fellow believing brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus! The Cost of Discipleship: Bonhoeffer contrasts this ‘feeling good’ with “costly” grace. It is costly because it requires a disciple for Jesus’ sake to put aside the craving for domination, possession, and control and grace because it confers true liberation and eternal life. It is costly, finally, because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner.
This week we begin the 9th Week in Ordinary Time. We go back to the Green vestments and linens at the altar. On June 5, we celebrate the memorial of St. Boniface, and the next days are optional memorial of other saints. The month of June is also known as a month for weddings. This is all for now, watch for the next bulletin. God Bless!
Your Priest –
Servant and Parochial Administrator,
Fr. Reggie