Choosing in the Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays an important role in the decisions of the followers of Jesus in the text today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary. The action of God among people to raise up the downtrodden is praised by the psalmist. The gathering of the Apostles in Jerusalem is related by Luke in the Acts of the Apostles as a necessary action to restore the Twelve after the departure of Judas. Friar Jude Winkler notes that Luke writes of the ties of the followers of the Way to the ancient Tradition of the Jews. There are Twelve Patriarchs and the successors of the Patriarchs should also number twelve. The qualification of Apostle as one who lived with Jesus is met by two candidates. The inspiration of the Holy Spirit is invoked to make the decision for Matthias. A novena which prepares us to be open to the Holy Spirit in celebration of theFeast of Pentecost is prayed by many during this liturgical season. The Gospel of John today tells of Jesus presentation of the unity of Father and Son. The intimate relationship of Love between Father and Son is experienced by those who are called to be friends of Jesus. This relationship is maintained in obedience to the commandments of Jesus which express themselves through the Holy Spirit in our actions to love our brothers. Our life in Love requires that we relate with our brothers and we incarnate Jesus in our flesh. The obedience which is necessary is that prompting of the Spirit to live to grow in our holiness. We will understand, through the gift of the Spirit, which of the many choices offered by our life experience are in support of Love of the other and which are for our own self satisfaction.