All of today’s Scripture readings focus on the sending of the Holy Spirit and the commissioning of the Apostles to go out and share that life in the spirit with all others they meet.

In the Acts of the Apostles we hear what happens on that first Pentecost when the disciples are filled with the Holy Spirit and immediately given the gift of speech in foreign languages. Then St. Paul in his letter to the Corinthians, tells them that while they have a variety of gifts to offer, they are led by the one Spirit.

You can picture the disciples as they sat in the room with the doors closed for fear that the Jews would come and try to disrupt their gathering or even arrest them. As soon as Jesus arrives the mood must have changed immediately. His first greeting was one of peace and he immediately shows them the wounds in his hands and side. So, the reaction of the disciples when they see the Lord was one of great Joy.

Jesus tells them that he is sending them out just as the Father had sent him. To help them in their task they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Through that Spirit they will have the power to forgive sins.

At Confirmation, each of us received the gift of the Holy Spirit through the prayers and the anointing with Chrism by the Bishop. Strengthened by this enabling power of the Spirit we are challenged to move out of our comfort zones and be wounded healers to all those whose broken lives touch ours.

Fr Gerry

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord.

In our gospel we hear how Jesus appeared to the Eleven. With their period of preparation now over, Jesus tells the disciples that their mission has begun, and he challenges them to go forth into a world that might be hostile to the message they have to share. They might have to face much opposition, hostility and even danger.

Of course, Jesus understood it was important that they did not become discouraged by the reaction of some non-believers to their message. To help them in their task the disciples received the gift of perseverance through the Holy Spirit. Their task of spreading the word was never going to be simple and needed much patience, courage, and faith.

We too must persevere and never forget that the amazing power of the Spirit is endless and is with us in all our endeavours and the love of God that is constantly pouring into our world cannot ever be stopped.

Fr Gerry

Jesus tries to give comfort and reassurance to the shattered disciples that he will not abandon them and leave them as orphans. He tells them he will ask the Father who will send them another Advocate to be with them forever. Just as Jesus did not leave the apostles to struggle without the help of the Spirit he will not leave us alone either.

The English dictionary explains the word ‘Advocate’ as ‘an intercessor or defender: one who pleads the cause of another’. So essentially Jesus is telling them that someone will come who will always be there to defend them and support their cause or work from here on. This Advocate will take the form of a Spirit which will be invisible to those in the world who do not know him, but to those who do, that indwelling of the Holy Spirit will be evident in their lives and be a powerful force guiding and directing them in all matters.

The Holy Spirit is like a good counsellor or advisor always guiding our hearts and minds in situations where we must make difficult and painful decisions. Good choices that are life giving rather than life limiting. When we live in the light of that Spirit it allows us to see with greater clarity those parts of our lives where we need healing or to change.

Let us open our minds and hearts to hear him and eagerly respond to his promptings always.

Fr Gerry