4th Week of Easter 2022 - Wednesday - The Holy Spirit Speaks

 

Yesterday, we heard how following the persecution of Christians in Jerusalem after the death of Stephen, Christians were scattered into the surrounding regions—like the seed scattered by the Sower in the Gospel. They escaped Jerusalem with their lives, but they didn’t wallow in misery over what was lost, they sought out the lost, and preached the Gospel in those places where the wind of the Holy Spirit had blown them.

And they came to a little place called Antioch. Now at that time, Antioch rivaled Rome in terms of population. There were about a million people in Antioch. And some of them converted. And yesterday, we heard how it was there in Antioch, where the disciples of Jesus were first called Christian.

Today we heard how the Christians of Antioch gathered together for prayer, they fasted together, they worshipped the Lord together, they sought the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Their example remains relevant for Christians of every age: we must pray together, fast together, worship together, and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit together. 

Notice, how it was during their communal prayer, fasting, and worship, the Greek word there is leitourgeo, from which we get the word liturgy, which likely included the celebration of the Eucharist, it was from this experience of humbling themselves through fasting, raising their hearts to God through prayer, that the Holy Spirit spoke. In other words, the will of God, the will of the Holy Spirit became clear to them. 

It was in Antioch that Paul and Barnabas received clarity from the Holy Spirit that they were to embark on a missionary journey, the first of three, to spread the Gospel far and wide. This first missionary journey would take them 1000 miles through rapid rivers, steep mountains, malaria-plagued lowlands, and bandit-ridden passages. Their lives would be at risk countless times, and they knew it. But they trusted the Holy Spirit, and it changed everything.

How is our parish called to imitate these holy ones? In prayer, fasting, worship, discernment, and mission. May the Holy Spirit guide us, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That all Christians may be deeply committed to the spread of Christ’s Gospel, and for the success of the Church’s missionary activity. And our parish may be attentive and responsive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

For those in public office: may they govern with wisdom and compassion for the most vulnerable among us—especially unborn children, the elderly, the indigent, and persons with disabilities.  Let us pray to the Lord.

That the isolated and abandoned may know the love of God through the labors of the Church. 

For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, the deceased members of our families friends and parishes, for those who fought and died for our freedom, and for N. for whom this mass is offered.

Graciously grant our petitions, we beseech thee, O Lord; may your grace sustain us always in your service, through Christ Our Lord.