Awaiting the Holy Spirit with Courage and Faith

Fr Joachim Uzochukwu C.S.Sp

The awaiting of the Holy Spirit of the Holy Spirit as Christ promises is already in wave, and we will see many of those promises and acknowledgment as we journey in the readings of this week. After the Ascension of the Lord, the disciples continue to await in hope of what Christ have promised them, which is the advocate. So as we journey in the novena of the Holy Spirit, let us prepare ourselves fully.

In the first reading of today, Paul meets the disciples who have received the baptism of repentance from John and ask them whether they have received the Holy Spirit. They acknowledged that they do not have any knowledge of the 'Holy Spirit.' Paul went on to lay hands on them for them to receive the Holy Spirit.This makes us know that a Christian life without the Holy Spirit is null and void; even as a baptized Christian. There is always a change when the spirit comes in and dominates. That is the reason Christ was emphasizing about the coming. The spirit teaches us what we do not know and also gives us courage and firm faith to preach the word of God as Paul and other disciples did.

In the Gospel of today, we see the conclusion of the second version of the discourse of the last supper, which began in John 15:1. It concludes with the inspiring reassurance of the certainty of the teachings that Christ has given. This teaching shows the union in love between the father and the son, and the son and his disciples who have believed in him. The theme of love and belief continues to re occur . Now, the disciples have been sent out to preach and will be scattered over the earth on their mission, but they can still rest secure in Christ because of his union with the father.Jesus reminds them to be brave that "he has conquered the world"

PEACE BE WITH YOU ALL