Sunday, May 17, 2020

ALIVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT


 Reflection for 6th Sunday of Easter Year A
(Acts 8:5-8, 14-17; 1 Pet 3:15-18; Jn 14:15-21)
1.0.  "They Laid Hands on them"
From the first reading we hear about the Mission of Philip to the Samaritans. He was very successful as multitudes got converted and baptized, and the city was filled with joy. Then the Church authorities in Jerusalem sent Peter and John to Samaria to pray for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. How come Philip performed miracles, converted souls and baptized but could not confer the Holy Spirit? These days anyone who exercises any spiritual gift assumes all authority unto himself! The first reading clearly demonstrates the structure of the sacrament of Confirmation.

There is order of procession in the coming of the Holy Spirit. God loved the world that He sent His only Begotten Son. Before His Ascension, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit. So, Confirmation cannot be administered on one who is not baptized into the Body of Christ and nourished by the Eucharist. Thus, Peter and John came afterwards, “Laid their hand on them and they received the Holy Spirit.” In the stretching forth of hands, we see the proceeding, the descending, the gentle movement with which the Holy Spirit carries us deeper into the truth of the Word. The Holy Spirit keeps us ever in motion in living out our baptismal grace! He gives us the unction to order our lives according to the will of the Father through Jesus Christ.

2.0.  Alive in the Spirit
In the Second reading St Peter says Jesus died in the flesh but was made alive in the Spirit. It is this new life in the Spirit we are called to share in our human flesh. Our faith in Jesus opens the doorway for this spiritual life. So if we reverence Jesus in our heart, it becomes a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. There will be a spiritual movement within, which inspires us to stand for Christ Jesus and endure persecution. That is why we must keep a clear conscience, which comes from observing the commandments.

Therefore, Jesus said in the Gospel of today, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counsellor, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of Truth...” The Holy Spirit brings divine motion; divine unction to hearts that love Jesus. The worldly minded opposes the working of the Spirit. So life in the Spirit opens up when we keep the commandments and do away with worldly attachments. Then we will enjoy a Trinitarian communion, and the life of Jesus Christ will begin to manifest in us.

“God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power and love and self-control” (2 Tim 1:7). He is the power with which we live! The order of His motion brings orderliness to our lives. If we are not alive in the Spirit, chaos will rule our hearts. So to be alive in the Spirit, we must reverence Jesus in our hearts as the people of Samaria did after Philip preached to them. And to love Jesus so, we must keep His commandants, which is summed up in love for one another. And since the law is within our reach (Deut 30:11), our movement to obey God’s will surely shall lead to a divine encounter.


Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Sunday May 17th, 2020.

5 comments:

  1. Jesus may I always reverence you in my heart and always keep your commandments. Thanks padre more Grace.

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  2. Spirit of God come into my life help me to obey God's commandments and do away with worldly attachments. Give me the grace of self control that there will be orderliness in my life. Amen.
    Thank you fr for this mind blowing reflection, more grace to you in Jesus name.

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  3. How come Philip performed miracles, converted souls and baptized but could not confer the Holy Spirit? Plz can you explain further. Thanks

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  4. Truly the Holy Spirit is a spirit of truth which enables Christians to be bold , removes the timidness and encourages to preach and spread the good news .

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