YEAR B: HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE SIXTH WEEK OF EASTER (1)

YEAR B: HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE SIXTH WEEK OF EASTER

HOMILY THEME: THE HOLY SPIRIT IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE TO DIRECT US

BY: Fr. Benny Tuazon

HOMILY:

(Jn. 16:23-28) Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter

In the day’s Gospel Jesus admitted that there were times when He used figures of speech in communicating His messages. He combined these with parables and other real-life examples. He knew that the truth cannot be fully captured by words. Figures of speech expand the meanings of the words. Thus, He had to resort to them. Yet, we are not completely helpless to understand the Word and the messages. The Holy Spirit will be there to give us the necessary wisdom to grasp His messages.

Jesus added that there will also be a time when He will not use figures of speech. Messages will be given directly and clearly. Meantime, we are dependent on the Spirit. Our human capacity limits us to be on our own in understanding the Word of the Lord.

The Good News is that the Holy Spirit is always available. In fact, it is in us just waiting to be summoned and to respond to our pleadings. We ought to dispose ourselves to be guided and directed by the Spirit. We express our need for its presence and action. We know we are helpless without its assistance.

The experience is hard to explain. I guess, with regards to the Spirit, words are not enough. Yet, what the Lord said was true. When we call the Spirit and humble and open ourselves, it inebriates and fills us. We are, in a way, possessed by it. Before we know it, we have hurdled our difficulties or had gone through it peacefully and, in most cases, successfully.

Faith is definitely a factor. Only in faith can we summon the Spirit and understand the Lord’s message.