Readings and Reflection :  Monday  :  18 May 2020

Acts 16 : 11 – 15            Psalm 149          John 15 : 26 – 16: 4a

Collect :

O God, you reveal yourself in love:

Pour into our hearts such love towards you,

That we, loving you in all things and above all things,

May obtain your promises,

Through Jesus Christ our Lord,

Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles today shows some of the tremendous growth of the Church in the early years, just after the Resurrection of Jesus. 

Paul and his companions were certainly faithful to the task of bringing the message of Christ to the peoples of the Gentile world. The Acts of the Apostles clearly demonstrate the Holy Spirit’s movement in making the message of Christ come alive in people’s hearts. 

Lydia, a Gentile businesswoman, a dealer in purple fabric, was praying with other women in a place known to be devoted to prayer. Paul and his companion sit down and talk to the women. Lydia is “a worshipper of God,” someone who was open to God.  “the Lord opened her heart to respond to what Paul said.” Lydia’s openness is the key to her conversion and to the ways that the Spirit moved in the early church. 

The point of this meeting confirms that the Spirit of God is constantly in action, offering people opportunities to move closer to and to serve God. Lydia is a model of openness and response to God; she was ready to hear what Paul had to say and then to respond to the message.

In the Gospel reading, Jesus speaks to the Apostles, he wants to strengthen them for the trials ahead.  He speaks to them of the Spirit, who will help them, guide them and comfort them in the dark days to come.

Jesus uses the word “Advocate” to refer to the Holy Spirit.  The original Greek is allon parakleton. The King James Version translates this phrase as “another comforter.” A person who is called to stand beside another person. Jesus teaches and assures his Apostles that the Holy Spirit will accompany them and support them in their pilgrimage of faith.

We read in John 15:26, Jesus saying that he will send the Holy Spirit (the “Advocate”), from the Father.  Jesus is indicating that the Holy Spirit is God, just as He and the Father are God.  Jesus thus reveals the Holy Trinity.

The Church’s faith is reflected in the Nicene Creed:  “We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified.”

May we be open enough to hear the Spirit’s invitation in our lives!