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