Any teacher will tell you that repetition is a significant way to reinforce the learning of an important concept. The more you have a child repeat
2 + 2=4, the sooner you hope they get it.
That technique of repeating was what Jesus was doing with the apostles when he wanted them to know about the imminent coming of the Holy Spirit once he left their presence. He told them 5 different times in the gospel of John. Today, we heard the 4th of those 5 promises that he will send the Holy Spirit:
“For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you’.
The coming of the Holy Spirit to them and the church community is of tremendous importance to Jesus, and he wants the disciples take him seriously. Despite their fears and anxieties, Jesus is promising that this Holy Spirit, this Advocate, will continue to form and shape the Christian community until the end of time. We just witnessed the Holy Spirit at work doing just that in the selection of Pope Leo. The church moves forward in history once again.
So, we might ask ourselves: How seriously in our own lives do we take the Holy Spirit, who has already come to us in Baptism and Confirmation?
As we prepared to celebrate our Confirmation, we learned about the Gifts of the Holy Spirit that are given to us at Baptism and strengthened at Confirmation. There are 7 gifts, a number that symbolizes fullness. These gifts are meant to penetrate our minds and hearts and help us live our faith fully. These 7 incredible graces are:
- Wisdom: which helps us to know God and live according to his plan
- Understanding: that helps us grasp the deeper truths of our faith
- Counsel: which helps us to discern sound judgements
- Knowledge: that helps us understand the meaning of God’s Word
- Piety: which helps us to reverence and respect God, people and creation.
- Fortitude: that helps by giving us strength for the hard times
- Fear of the Lord: which helps us by honoring the authority of God and desiring to please God in all things
As we approach the feast of Pentecost soon, may we reflect on these gifts, become more aware of them in our lives, and most importantly, thank the Holy Spirit for being with us and the Church in loving fullness every moment of every day.
