Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter (May 29, 2017): Do you really believe?

Acts 19:1-8
Ps 68:2-7ab (with 33a)
John 16:29-33
www.usccb.org/bible/readings/052917.cfm

USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/17_05_29.mp3

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John.

The disciples said to Jesus,
“Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech.
Now we realize that you know everything
and that you do not need to have anyone question you.
Because of this we believe that you came from God.”
Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now?
Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived
when each of you will be scattered to his own home
and you will leave me alone.
But I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
I have told you this so that you might have peace in me.
In the world you will have trouble,
but take courage, I have conquered the world.”

Good News Reflection:

In the first reading, St. Paul asks: “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” That answer to that one is: Yes, during baptism we received the fullness of God’s presence. The Holy Spirit is the presence of Christ our Savior within us.

But … do you really believe this?

There’s a difference between receiving God’s Spirit by sacrament and living in the Spirit as a faith-filled believer. To live fully by faith requires being fully committed to an active Christian lifestyle, relying on the Holy Spirit to help us become holier and holier each day, continually purifying ourselves so that we are ever-increasingly united to the fullness of God through the gifts of all the sacraments and in the Church community.

True believers have a trusting relationship with God. They regret their sins and realize they’re forgiven because of what Jesus did on Good Friday. They understand that with this forgiveness they’re able to go to heaven because of what he did on Easter. They want to imitate him by laying down their lives for others in loving service. None of this is possible without the Holy Spirit.

How do you know that the Holy Spirit is active in you? Speaking in tongues and uttering God-inspired prophecies, like we see in the story from Acts, are not the only indications, nor are they necessary. They are just a few examples of outward signs. Read carefully what Jesus tells us in this Gospel passage: True belief brings peace, even in the midst of suffering!

Again, this is only possible by relying on the Holy Spirit. We lose peace when we rely on our own resources and our limited perceptions of the problems we face. Faith, hope, and inner peace come from relying on the Spirit of Christ, who is the Higher Power behind all of our overcomings, and who lives within each of us like a fountain of grace waiting to be released.

Saint Pope John Paul the Great gave us this beautiful prayer to the Holy Spirit (May 30, 1998): “Come, Holy Spirit, come and renew the face of the earth! Come with your seven gifts! Come, Spirit of Life, Spirit of Communion and Love!”

Let us journey toward heaven with this prayer daily on our lips.

Today’s Prayer:

Beloved Lord Jesus: Give me perseverance and steadiness to never cease looking at You and listening to Your voice when I am in the midst of trials.  Amen.