Homily Sixth Tuesday of Easter (Jn 16:5-11) “Just Do It”
Homily Sixth Tuesday of Easter (Jn 16:5-11) “Just Do It”
We are coming to the end of the Easter Season. When we come to this point in the liturgical year, we begin to have allusions to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not something we speak a lot about in the Catholic Church. We tend to have a sense that the Holy Spirit works through the church, but the Holy Spirit also works in every person’s life. Sometimes we must trust in the Spirit and move with it in our life.
I studied in the seminary for six years before I was ordained. The question for all who were involved in seminary education was how do we prepare seminarians for all the different challenges that they will face? I often feel like I spend most of my time on administrative duties (raising money, repairing buildings, managing personnel). We had very little training for any of this in the seminary. We had philosophy, scripture, preaching, theology and psychology classes and I studied a host of other subjects, but not accounting or business. But how does one cover every eventuality. Somethings you just must figure out as you go along.
I remember talking to my spiritual director for the last time. I said that I was tired of school and at 26 had been attending school for 21 years of my life. I just wanted to get started with the rest of my life. I think Jesus looked at the Apostles and felt the same way.
Jesus had been with them for 3 years. He had taught them every day by his words and actions. Jesus had risen from the dead and come back to teach them more lessons. He finally came to the time he had to leave his disciples.
Jesus did not leave his apostles alone though. He sent them an advocate, the Holy Spirit. There would be a supernatural force working in the lives of his followers and in his church. Discernment would be the key. The question for Christians is whether we will follow the promptings of the Spirit or ignore them. It is not easy, but it is what we must try to do if we are followers of Jesus.
Reflection Questions:
- When I make a tough decision do I pray over it? Do I believe God can guide my life?
- Have I ever been inspired by the Spirit to move in a certain direction? Why do I think that?
Dear Parishioners,
I would remind you today that we are looking for volunteers to help with our secondhand sale in July. We are trying to have a scaled back version of the sale. This will depend on whether the COVID 19 protocols are relaxed.
If you would like to help, please contact Connie Morris or our office at 309-762-2362. We will put you in touch with her. I am hoping that having the sale would be another sign that our parish is moving forward, but everyone must feel safe for this type of activity. Let’s pray that the pandemic will continue to wane. Thanks to Connie for taking this on.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over us today.
Fr. Mark