The Shocking Power of the Holy Spirit

Just as we rely on power to sustain our daily lives, so too we need the power of the Holy Spirit, God's own life within us, to renew our hearts and energise us for the mission of the Gospel.

There is something about exploring unfamiliar hills and valleys, breathing fresh air, and discovering the beauty of creation that reconnects me with the Creator. Time spent in nature has a way of renewing both body and soul.

It was not always so. I have always loved sport, but the idea of going for a long walk purely for its own sake once seemed like hard work. Looking back, it is something of a miracle that I completed my Chief Scout's Award. One memory from those days remains particularly vivid: a night hike that was long, cold, confusing, and, unsurprisingly, very dark. It was during that expedition that I had my first encounter with an electric fence.

Unaware that such things existed, I attempted to climb over it and received an unforgettable shock. The experience was startling, painful, and memorable. More importantly, it taught me something about power.

Power is a remarkable gift. It keeps wandering sheep where they belong and adventurous scouts where they do not. More significantly, it enables countless things that would be impossible through our own strength alone. Most of us hardly notice how dependent we are on power until it disappears. From our homes and vehicles to our phones and countless other technologies, modern life relies upon energy from sources beyond ourselves. It is no surprise that humanity continues to search for reliable and renewable sources of power.

The same principle is true in spiritual life. Too often, we approach discipleship as if it depends entirely upon our own efforts. We strive to be patient, loving, generous and holy through willpower alone. Yet the Christian life was never intended to be lived solely by human strength. We cannot save ourselves, nor can we become the people God calls us to be without his grace. What we need is the power of the Holy Spirit.

Throughout the Gospel, people were struck by the power and authority of Jesus. They witnessed lives transformed, the sick healed, captives set free, storms calmed, and hearts renewed. The source of that power was the Holy Spirit, who rested upon Jesus and animated his mission.

At Pentecost, often described as the birthday of the Church, that same Spirit was poured out upon the disciples. The signs accompanying this outpouring were wind and fire. The biblical word for spirit, ‘ruah’ also means ‘wind’ and ‘breath’. Wind can be gentle or overwhelming. It can move ships across oceans or uproot mighty trees. Breath is intimate and life-giving. In the same way, the Holy Spirit is both infinitely powerful and deeply personal.

The Spirit changes hearts, renews minds, strengthens the weary and breathes life into places within us that have grown cold or wounded. The Holy Spirit is, at one and the same time, unstoppable power and infinite tenderness.

The image of fire is equally rich. Just as the sun radiates light, warmth and energy, so the Holy Spirit communicates the very life of God to us. The Spirit energises and empowers the Church for mission.

The question for each of us is simple: where do we look for the strength we need? Do we rely solely on our own resources, intelligence and determination? Or do we look beyond ourselves and draw upon the power that comes from God?

In baptism and confirmation, each of us has been anointed and sealed with the Holy Spirit. The same Spirit who empowered Jesus has been given to us. We are called not merely to possess that gift but to release it into the world through our words, actions and witness.

St Paul reminds us that the Gospel came “not only as words, but as power and as the Holy Spirit and as utter conviction.” The Church's mission cannot be sustained by words alone. We need to encounter again and again the living and powerful presence of the Holy Spirit, allowing God to strengthen our faith and renew our hearts.

When that happens, something extraordinary occurs. Like that unexpected jolt from an electric fence, the power of God can awaken us from complacency, dissolve our fears and transform our lives. Filled with the fire of the Holy Spirit, we become capable of helping others encounter the risen Christ and join Thomas in proclaiming with joyful conviction: “My Lord and my God!”

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Today is a special day of prayer for Pontifical Mission Societies. There is an obligatory collection for Foreign Missions.

Today would also have been the feast day of St Luke. Therefore, an intercession for healthcare and medical workers would be appropriate.

There are three important element sin our prayers and readings today:

1.     The absolute sovereignty of God: see Collect, the last sentence in the First Reading, the Psalm, and the Gospel. See also CCC para 2083-2085

2.     Vocation: see Collect, First Reading, and Second Reading. See also CCC para 1699-1724

3.     Civil Authority: see First Reading and Gospel. See also CCC 1897-1917, 2234-2246 (including the duty to pay tax!)

An intercession for civil authorities would be most apt today.

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These hymns have been chosen from the Laudate Hymnbook (L) and the Celebration Hymnal for Everyone (CFE)

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Do not be afraid (CFE147, L972)

God has chosen me (CFE212, L858)

All my hope in God is founded (CFE21, L959)

Seek ye first (CFE633, L820)

There is a longing (CFE915, L941)

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