Empowered by the Holy Spirit
by Momong 
April 3rd, 2008 [Thursday]
John 3: 31-36
Acts 5: 27-33 / Ps 34: 2,9,17-20
He does not ration His gift of the Holy Spirit.
(John 3:34)
May the gifts of the Holy Spirit be
A strong testimony of His love,
So others may see how trustworthy
Is “the One Who comes from above.”
Jesus said, “He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly, and speaks of earthly things. But the One who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what He has seen and heard, but no one accepts His testimony. Whoever accepts His testimony certifies that God is true. For the One whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration His gift of the Spirit. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things to Him. He who believes in the Son has eternal life; he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.”
Reflection
In today’s First Reading, St. Peter and the apostles boldly faced the Sanhedrin, where the high priest questioned them, “We gave you strict orders (did we not?) to stop preaching in that name.” Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter replied, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus (from the dead), though you had Him killed . . . We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit Whom God has given to those who obey Him” (Acts 5:29-30,32). All the pharisees in the Sanhedrin seethed in anger and wanted to kill them. It was obvious that these religious leaders of the Jews had no portion of the Holy Spirit in them.
Those who take pride in their own power or abilities, usually choose to follow a way apart from God’s will. Their choice inevitably leads to death — a spiritual death that poisons the heart and shrivels the soul until nothing is left but an empty shell devoid of truth, peace, love and joy.
In this season of Easter, the Scripture readings highlight the message that our Lord Jesus imparted to his disciples before He ascended into heaven: God the Father has poured His Spirit in full measure to those who have chosen to believe. As the Spirit empowered the apostles and revealed God’s truth to them, so does He enable us to receive His gifts and understand God’s Word. The choice for us is never a hard one to make: everlasting life or eternal death.
Father in heaven, pour out Your Holy Spirit in full measure, so that we may employ His gifts for the glory of Your kingdom here on earth, and live according to all Your decrees. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.
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