May 21
Seventh Sunday of Easter
“I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.”
Readings
Reflection
It might be very difficult for us to be comfortable with the message from St. Peter in our second reading: “Rejoice in the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ…if you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you…whoever is made to suffer as a Christian should not be ashamed but glorify God because of the name” (cf. 1 Peter 4:13-16). Let’s face it, the experience of finding joy or blessing in suffering is a grace not easily recognized or felt.
If we come to see our own sufferings as a share in Jesus’ own, we can start to experience encouragement and receive the same graces that Jesus himself had on the Cross, to help us also persevere. This kind of strength is offered to us through the coming of the Holy Spirit. Jesus on the Cross is in perfect communion with his heavenly Father, and this communion, this perfect Love is the Holy Spirit. “Advocate,” “Paraclete,” “Comforter,” etc. each of these names of the Holy Spirit reflect precisely the gift that He is to us. Hidden in each of those titles are graces (or presence of divine life) as defense or protection, assistance by our side, indwelling of strength and courage—each of these supernatural in essence. This is why Jesus himself says, “It is better for you that I go…that the Advocate may come” (cf. John 16:7).
Through this intimate gift of divine life, the Holy Spirit, we are offered an inexhaustible source of life; seemingly subtle or gentle yet having the bold protection of a fortress. This divine life is far greater than anything we could create on our own, and it is always stronger than whatever suffering we endure—but we need to become more familiar with this presence and confidently invoke Him. The person of the Holy Spirit in the Trinity is referred to as the “bonds of unity,” meaning it was through the presence of the Holy Spirit that Jesus stayed in perfect relationship to the Father as he poured out his life on the Cross. This same Spirit, offered again to the disciples at Pentecost, is the gift that Jesus desires to breathe into us constantly to give us love and life.
Interestingly of note, prior to the verses we hear from in the Acts of the Apostles reading today, Jesus gives his disciples the instruction to “wait for the promise of the Father of which you have heard me speak” (Acts 1:4). With this instruction he makes clear, that if the disciples are going to go out and bear the persecution for the sake of his name, or to endure whatever might come as they spread the Gospel, they will bear no fruit without the gift of the Holy Spirit. Once they receive the Spirit, they go out to all the earth, and so will their message. We see in the disciples the love, strength, courage, joy, boldness, etc. that we deeply desire for ourselves, especially in the midst of our sufferings.
May we patiently await at all times the gift of the Holy Spirit, and may our hearts receive anew the truth of this great hope and consolation.
Peace,
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