GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 29TH MAY 2017
MONDAY OF THE SEVENTH WEEK OF EASTER
FIRST READING: Acts 19:1-8
PSALM: Psalm 67:2-7
GOSPEL: John 16:29-33
THEME: THE SEAL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
A seal indicates ownership. It is also used to guarantee a document or letter and to protect against tampering. By way of analogy, the Holy Spirit is the authenticating seal of God in the life of a believer ( cf. Eph. 1:13). The active presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer is a confirmation that one belongs to Christ and has access to the “Holy of Holies”.
In our First Reading, we have an account of Paul’s encounter with a group of believers in one of the beautiful cities of the Roman empire – Ephesus (southwest Turkey). Paul asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” Their response was “No, we have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” In sum, they were completely ignorant on the subject of the Holy Spirit. After brief catechetical instructions from Paul, they were baptised in the name of Jesus and when Paul laid his hands on them there was a clear outward manifestation of the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives, characterised by speaking in tongues and prophesying.
Later on in life, Paul, reflecting on this and other similar experiences would write, “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit…To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good…All these are inspired by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills” (1Cor 12:4,7,11).
The mark of the Holy Spirit, which is the proof of one’s identity in Christ, is tangible. In other words, it is not enough to say that “I have received the Holy Spirit” without any concrete sign that the Holy Spirit is at work in you. We may not have the same charisms but there is always a particular manifestation of the presence of the Holy Spirit in a true believer.
During this season of novena to the Holy Spirit, let us intensify our devotion to the Holy Spirit, yielding completely to him. Let us allow him to show forth his presence and power in our lives and confer on us our true identity in Christ.
PRAYER: Come Holy Spirit. Be the seal of divine identity upon my life. Brand me with your gifts and fruit. Confer on me the true character of a believer in Christ. Amen
Andrews Obeng, SVD
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).