This week, sandwiched between the feasts of Pentecost and the Holy Trinity, provides me with much to reflect upon. The main reason is that I have to prepare homilies for both. These two feasts are very similar as we recall what Christ has entrusted to us upon his death.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus gives a long farewell speech at the Last Supper on the night before he dies. His disciples, understandably, are shaken, afraid, and not prepared to accept the brute reality of his impending death. He tries to calm them, reassure them, and give them things to cling to, and he ends with these words: I am going away, but I will leave you a final gift, the gift of my peace.
This gift of peace from Christ is the gift of the Holy Spirit, and, as we know, that is charity, joy, peace, patience, goodness, long-suffering, fidelity, mildness, and chastity.
In truth, the exercise of these gifts brings peace. They may not impact the world as immediately as war, inflation, drug abuse, mass shootings, or other social evils, but they are not as fickle nor evil as these occurrences are. The gifts of the Spirit reach deep into our soul and, when placed into practice, form us into people of the Holy Spirit; and bring lasting peace into the hearts of those around us.
In the gospel for Trinity Sunday, Jesus states to his disciples, "I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth.
I find Christ's gentle concern and kindness for us in this statement and the implicit trust He has in our ability to see, understand, and follow Christ striking. We do not need a grueling spiritual race or frantic effort to Live Jesus. We listen to the Spirit's encouragement to determine our next step. As Pope Francis suggests, "the next thing on our calendar is where God's will is found."
We all know what it's like to have our patience tried, but patience disarms anger, frustration, and offense. Goodness, fidelity, chastity, and mildness bring comfort, assurance, and trust. Charity, joy, and peace bring healing and hope. These gifts of the Spirit bring strength to follow Christ, and the ground beneath our feet becomes firm as we find our place walking in God's grace. Indeed, in the Holy Spirit alive in our hearts, we find peace.
How happy those souls who live only to do God's will. (St. Francis de Sales)
Fr. Jack Loughran, OSFS
Provincial
Toledo-Detroit Province
