The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to contemplate the action of the Holy Spirit in our lives to bolster our trust in God and affirm our faith in love and mercy.
Journey in Faith
The reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans reveals God’s Promise is realized through Faith.
* [4:20] He did not doubt God’s promise in unbelief: any doubts Abraham might have had were resolved in commitment to God’s promise. Heb 11:8–12 emphasizes the faith of Abraham and Sarah.1
Psalm 105 praises God’s Faithfulness to Israel.
* [Psalm 105] A hymn to God who promised the land of Canaan to the holy people, cf. Ps 78; 106; 136. Israel is invited to praise and seek the presence of God (Ps 105:1–6), who is faithful to the promise of land to the ancestors (Ps 105:7–11).2
The Gospel of Luke shares Jesus' sayings about the Holy Spirit.
* [12:10–12] The sayings about the holy Spirit are set in the context of fearlessness in the face of persecution (Lk 12:2–9; cf. Mt 12:31–32). The Holy Spirit will be presented in Luke’s second volume, the Acts of the Apostles, as the power responsible for the guidance of the Christian mission and the source of courage in the face of persecution.3
George Butterfield comments that St. Paul is concerned that some think that they can earn salvation by adhering to the law instead of through trusting in God. He points us to father Abraham. The gift is for anyone who follows the faith of Abraham.
In the Gospel lesson, Jesus basically tells his disciples to have the faith of Abraham. Trust me and acknowledge me before others and I will be with you. When you have to give a defense of your faith, the key is to hold on to me, not to worry about what you will say. The Holy Spirit knows what you need to say and will teach you the proper words in that moment. Living life as a gift from God can be a real challenge. I want to think that I have earned everything that I have. I trust myself. Why do I need to trust God?4
Don Schwager quotes “The Holy Spirit will inspire martyrs and teach believers,” by Cyril of Jerusalem,(430-543 A.D).
"You must also know that the Holy Spirit empowers the martyrs to bear witness... A person cannot testify as a martyr for Christ's sake except through the Holy Spirit. If 'no man can say "Jesus is Lord" except in the Holy Spirit' (1 Corinthians 12:3), will any man give his life for Jesus' sake except through the Holy Spirit?" (excerpt from CATECHETICAL LECTURES 16.21)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 12:8-12 comments that after we have confessed our sins and prayed an Act of Contrition, the priest raises his hand over us and prays, “God the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son, has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins.”
This prayer shows us the vital role the Spirit plays in our experience of God’s mercy. He’s the one who pours God’s mercy into our hearts (Romans 5:5). He’s the one who convicts us of our sin and who also tells us that we are beloved children of God (John 16:8; Galatians 4:6). He is our divine Advocate who offers healing to our guilty consciences (John 14:26-27). So to “blaspheme” against the Spirit is to deny him the chance to minister God’s mercy.6
Friar Jude Winkler discusses Paul’s comparison with Abraham who had trust in the goodness and mercy of God before the Law of Moses. How can we embrace Jesus when we have made ourselves our own gods? Friar Jude reminds us that we decide not to accept to share in the love between the Father and the Son that is the Holy Spirit.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Steven Charleston, a member of the Choctaw Nation and an Episcopal bishop. In his book Ladder to the Light, he offers practices drawn from the meeting point of his Christian faith and Native American spirituality.
They call it a laying on of hands. In many faith traditions, when prayers of healing are offered, people place their hands on the patient. I have decided to do that for someone, and I am inviting you to join me. The patient is our Mother Earth. She is struggling to recover from the effects of toxic poisoning and exhaustion. I am going to intentionally lay my hand on her and say, “Thank you, Mother, for all you have given us. Be healed of all that harms you.” It is only a symbol, but symbols have power. Please share my invitation. If every person on our planet went outside to lay hands on the earth and ask for healing, it might inspire us all to act, to work, to give for the sake of our Mother.7
Before the Law of Moses, the Spirit of God calls all humanity to trust, mercy, and thanksgiving on our journey to full life.
References
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