In the world you will have trouble, but be brave

Acts 19:1-8, Jn 16:29-33. One of the mistakes we must seriously avoid is complacency; an obvious tendency that makes us take things for granted. This is at the heart of the warning in today’s Gospel, that the disciples would be scattered and go. One of the most frequent warnings of Jesus is that we ‘stay awake.’ The conviction that Jesus shared with His disciples that He is never alone, is a revelation directed to His disciples. We may be ignored or persecuted by the world, but we shall never be left as orphans. Our relationship with the world will always be strained because it has nothing in common with Christ and the Gospel. However, our relationship with God will produce peace and comfort because we are in communion with His Spirit. Such is the good news behind the coming and remaining of the Holy Spirit: "In the world you will have trouble, but be brave."

Indeed, we will overcome through the victory of Jesus. This is the message, loud and clear, that the world longs to hear. Unlike the disciples in today's first reading, we are not ignorant of the Mystery of the Holy Spirit. Today's first reading presents us with the baptism of the Holy Spirit administered by Paul to some of the people who are yet to receive the Mystery of the Holy Spirit according to the teachings of the Church. In that occasion, the people who have believed in God and accepted Him as their Lord and Saviour received the Holy Spirit by the laying of the hands by the Apostle, completing their journey of initiation into the faith. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we become aware of the divine presence even when we are lonely. This awareness can bring a special kind of peace, a peace the world cannot give, for as Jesus says “in me you will have peace.”

May the Lord send forth His Spirit so that we will be led to a deeper awareness of the Holy Spirit in our life and give us the strength and courage to live faithfully with great devotion! Remain safe and have a fruitful week!!!