Every Sunday, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Click HERE for the readings.
Jesus said in today’s Gospel, “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.”
The Holy Spirit helps us to remember Jesus, his life, and his teachings.
Even though we have never met Jesus in the same way that the early Apostles did, we still know him and believe in him because of the Holy Spirit who has been given to us in baptism. The Gospel we read was inspired by the Holy Spirit and the teaching of the Church’s magisterium unfolds over time with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that the Holy Spirit awakens faith, enables prayer, and reveals God.
In the last several weeks I have been confirming many of our young people. They have received the gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. These gifts are given to them, and to all of us who have been confirmed, so that we can deepen our faith as we mature and then proclaim the Gospel we have come to know to the world. The Holy Spirit reveals Jesus to the ends of the earth through us!
We read today that Jesus said, “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and the Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.”
We are the keepers of his word, his story, his lessons, his way, his truth, his life. If we love him, we will not forget him, we will not ignore him, and we certainly will not deny him. If we love him, we will obey him and keep his commandments. And, if we keep his word out of love for him, God will remain in us — and we in him — for eternity. This is the peace that comes from knowing the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world and leads us back to our Heavenly Father.
Let us live in the Holy Spirit and ask the Holy Spirit to continue to reveal Jesus to us more fully every day. Let us love the Lord Jesus we have come to know and be the keepers of his word — and the doers of his word too!
Have a good Memorial Day and a blessed week everyone — and say an extra prayer for our veterans and those who gave their lives to keep us safe at home.