First Reading - Acts 16:22-34
Gospel - John 16:5-11
The first reading demonstrates the amazing actions of the Holy Spirit in releasing Paul and Silas from the prison and converting the gaoler to faith in Jesus. The crowd showed the hostility to Paul and Silas as they failed to open themselves to the Spirit but the gaoler was disposed to the Spirit after seeing the work of the Spirit in saving the prisoners and the genuineness of Paul and others who did not escape despite their release. The gaoler and his household on that day discover true faith through the words of Paul.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tries to console his sad and disheartened disciples at the Last Supper, for they are at a loss, hearing the news of their master’s imminent departure. So, he assures them that they will not be left alone. He will send the Holy Spirit upon them as a friend, guide, consoler and teacher. Then Jesus explains the three different roles of the Holy Spirit in their lives. First, He will convince the world about the seriousness of sin. Thus, the Holy Spirit will lead us to repent of our sins and seek forgiveness from Jesus. The Divine Advocate will demonstrate that not believing in Jesus is the real sin. It is the Holy Spirit Who would prick the hearts of the Jews on the day of Pentecost, convicting them of their sin of crucifying their Messiah. In the same way, He convicts us of wrongdoing and convinces us of God’s truth. Second, the Spirit convinces us of the righteousness of Christ, which means that that Jesus was right in his teachings and promises, as proved by God His Father Who granted him Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven. Although Jesus was condemned to death, it was actually Satan, the ruler of this world, who was condemned through Jesus’ death. Third, the Holy Spirit gives us the inner and unshakable conviction that we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God. When we heed God’s judgments, we find true peace, joy, and reconciliation with God.
Dear friends, we need to allow the Holy Spirit to do what He wishes in and through our lives so that He may release us from the grip of sin and set us ablaze with the fire of God’s love.
We need to dispose ourselves to perceive the works of the Spirit in our lives who leads us to strengthen our faith like the gaoler who discovered faith in Jesus through the experience of the work of the Spirit in releasing Paul and Silas. The Holy Spirit is our guide and councillor who helps us in our journey of faith and guides us, He needs our attentive mind and docile heart to see His works in our lives in order to grow and strengthen our faith.
Let's pray that we may be able to perceive the works of the Spirit in our lives.
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