My brain was not fully developed when I was 16 years old. Some argue that it still isn’t developed today. As a teenager, I had a bad habit of running out of gas. I ran out of gas 11 times between the ages of 16 and 22. One time, I was getting low on gas and made it to the gas station. I looked in my wallet and did not have any money, and I had no credit cards. I reached in my pocket and pulled out 26 cents – a quarter and a penny. I thought, “Am I going to put in 26 cents of gas in my car?”
It took about three seconds to put in 26 cents. I walked into the gas station and said, “Ah, pump 4.” Keep in mind that there were other people standing in line. I am 16 years old. The guy at the counter said, “Let’s see, well – 26 cents! Wow! You going on a big trip there, buddy?” I thought, “Just ring it up, buddy.”
This weekend, the Church gives us a preview of Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit. For example, we see Philip – one of the seven men ordained in Acts 6 – who is filled with the Holy Spirit. He is far from running out of gas.
It is never boring when you are around people filled with the Holy Spirit. Philip clears the deck in Samaria by removing unclean spirits (or fallen angels) from people who were possessed. Along with exorcising evil spirits, Philip heals the paralyzed and crippled in the region.
In our second reading, we see that the Holy Spirit helps people to articulate our beautiful Catholic faith and to do so with gentleness and reverence. In other words, those filled with the Holy Spirit are hungry to learn more about our faith. When two people are in love, they want to learn more about each other. The same is true when people are in love with God. They want to learn more about our Lord by reading and studying. Intellectual curiosity is a sign that someone is filled with the Holy Spirit.
In our gospel, we learn that those filled with the Holy Spirit are strengthened. Our Lord refers to the Holy Spirit as the Advocate. An advocate is someone who comes alongside another to help him or her. Whereas the evil one is the accuser and our adversary, the Holy Spirit is our Advocate. The Holy Spirit gives you strength in temptation, prays for you, speaks on your behalf, and offers you guidance.
Given that you have an Advocate with the Holy Spirit, Jesus says, “You are not an orphan.” Instead, filled with the Holy Spirit, you have God as your Father and Jesus as your brother and Savior.
Practically, as we prepare to celebrate our Lord’s Ascension into heaven next weekend and Pentecost the following weekend, what can you do to welcome the Holy Spirit more fully into your life? What can you do to not run out of gas in the spiritual life?
First, while it may seem simple, pray for the Holy Spirit! One of the easiest and most beautiful prayers is, “Come, Holy Spirit.” “Come, Holy Spirit, give me strength in temptation. Come, Holy Spirit, help me to pray. Come Holy Spirit, help me with this difficult meeting I am about to have.” Ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit!
Jesus offers a little lesson in Luke 11 where He says that earthly fathers give their children the things for which they ask. He then says, “If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” (Lk 11:13). Be confident and ask for the Holy Spirit!
Second, talk to the Holy Spirit throughout the day. You can talk to the Holy Spirit in your car, at work, or at home. I once had a priest say to me, “At any moment, you can turn a monologue into a dialogue.” We talk to ourselves (monologue) all the time. We can turn our monologues into dialogues with God at any moment of our lives.
Finally, make sure you get to confession regularly. The Pentecost sequence calls the Holy Spirit “the soul’s most welcome guest.” As with any guest, the Holy Spirit finds rest and peace in a soul that has order, peace, and a welcome space for Him.
~St. Thérèse, pray for us!