Advocate

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/052725.cfm

If, for any reason, you have not yet been impressed by the work the Holy Spirit has been doing as we read through the Acts of the Apostles, take a moment to read today's selection from chapter 16. Stunning.

It is compelling on many levels. First, we see how Paul and Silas willingly undergo a terrible beating with rods that inflict deep pain. At any point they could shout: 'stop, I renounce Jesus - it's all a hoax, He didn't rise from the dead, we made it up.' But they don't because the truth of it, is the truth of their salvation. Because He did rise from the dead, they know they will and it quells their fear - because they are filled with the Holy Spirit.

Then we see the work of the Holy Spirit freeing them from prison. An earthquake, sure it might be random, but 'all the doors flew open, and the chains of all were pulled loose'? those are not the normal earthquake consequences. The Holy Spirit literally rescues them.

Then we see something amazing from Paul and Silas - they love their enemies so much that they do not want to see them harm themselves, or be punished because prisoners have escaped, so they stay. Wow, pretty courageous, right? It gets even better. The guard, so taken by the gesture of Paul and Silas, takes them out of prison and into his home (now ensuring that whatever punishment they would have saved him from will come upon all the more for 'aiding and abetting'.) Then, as if we have not yet seen enough, the man pledges his life to Jesus, and he and his whole family are baptized and saved for eternal life.

This is why Jesus says in the Gospel: "It is better for you that I go", because even though Jesus speaks the Word of the Father and saves us through His sacrifice, it is the Holy Spirit that allows us to become 'makers of disciples'. The Holy Spirit changes Paul and Silas - there is no doubt. Are we ready for that radical change (I am looking in the mirror myself right now)? We are unlikely to be imprisoned, so what keeps us from loving others radically? Are we worried about what people will think, or how they will look at us in the grocery store? We have seen what the Holy Spirit can do. We should have confidence that He will do it for us. Why? Because Jesus said He would.

Join us tonight for a Baptism in the Holy Spirit at Saints Martha and Mary Parish (St. Catherine of Sweden Church 2554 Wildwood Rd.) at 7 pm. We will invite the Holy Spirit to rush upon us and bring forth every gift that God wants to use in us. It is way more than we can imagine.