Homily Pentecost - May 28, 2023

Today's readings can be found here.

            My father passed away almost ten years ago.  He was very fond of giving me and my siblings advice.  Name a subject and he had an opinion on it.  He wasn’t afraid to tell you what to do in a given situation.  He was always sure that following his advice was the best course of action.  Like many adults, I didn’t always take my dad’s advice, though I did at least hear him out.  But I miss having him around to talk to and ask.  I’m sure all of us have lost someone whose advice we appreciated.  It may have been a parent, grandparent, or a trusted friend.  When we lose that person, there’s a time we might feel a little lost.  After relying on someone’s advice for a while, there’s a void when the person is no longer there.

            I’m sure that’s how the disciples felt.  They walked with Jesus during his ministry on earth and relied on Him to teach them.  After Jesus died and rose, He still appeared among them from time to time.  However, once Jesus ascended into heaven, they no longer had his physical presence.  And they were likely a little frightened.  Our first reading says they were all in a place together, presumably inside.  Our Gospel says they were in a locked room out of fear.  However, Jesus told them He would not abandon them.  Jesus sent them the Holy Spirit.  And they were no longer afraid.  They were willing to boldly speak as the Spirit enabled them.  The disciples were given the Advocate and again had someone to ask advice.

            We have access to this same Spirit through the sacraments of baptism and confirmation.  Like the apostles, we had an Advocate whom we can ask advice. How many of us talk to the Holy Spirit and ask for direction?  The Holy Spirit is there for us when we need to make decisions great or small.  The Spirit wants to give us advice.  I’ve always had a strong devotion to the Holy Spirit.  In many ways, the Spirit has guided me on my spiritual journey.  I’m constantly asking the Spirit for advice, especially to know God’s will for me.  Personally, I hear the Spirit best in times of quiet.  Usually in prayer but sometimes in an activity like cycling or walking.  The Spirit can speak to us at any time.  We need only to open our hearts to hear the Holy Spirit’s voice.

            We can also bring our needs to the Holy Spirit.  As an Advocate, the Holy Spirit not only gives advice, but intercedes with the God the Father on our behalf.  Paul, in the letter to the Romans, says “we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.  And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will.”  We don’t always know how to ask God for what we need.  But the Holy Spirit understands.  It’s like a close friend, relative, or a spouse that knows you so well, they know exactly what you’re thinking.  They understand what you’re trying to say without words.  The Holy Spirit knows us more deeply than that.  We need only reach out to the Spirit and ask for help.

            Besides providing advice and interceding for us, the Holy Spirit also gives us gifts.  Paul tells us the Spirit gives us an individual and unique gift.  This gift is provided to us for some benefit.  There are the seven traditional gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.  But we have additional gifts provided by God.  Have we talked to the Holy Spirit to determine what gifts we’ve been given?  And how the Spirit would like us to use these gifts?  We should be open to using our talents in the service of others.  The Spirit will guide us if we ask.

            Once Jesus ascended into Heaven, the Apostles could no longer seek His advice in person.  Jesus gave them the Holy Spirit to guide, advice, strengthen, and advocate for them.  We have been given that same Spirit through baptism and confirmation.  The Spirit has also given us unique gifts to serve others.  Do we ask the Holy Spirit for advice in making decisions?  What gifts has the Spirit given us and how are we to use these gifts?  The Spirit will always be there to advise us and keep us from feeling lost.