Read: Ephesians 1:15-23, Ps. 8:2-7, Luke 12:8-12 

“For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” (Luke 12:12)

At the heart of today's Gospel message is Jesus teaching about the Holy Spirit. Who is the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is God, the third person of the Trinity, the promised gift of Jesus to the church upon his ascension which eventually descended upon the Apostles on Pentecost day bringing about the birth of the Church.

Jesus warns us against the sin of blaspheming against the Holy Spirit. To blaspheme is to speak without respect, or in a manner that does not show that Holy Spirit is God. It is a form of desecrating or profaning the Holy Spirit through words or actions. As Jesus warns, anyone who commits such a sin will not be forgiven. This means we must not joke with the Holy Spirit.

Furthermore, Jesus then goes on to tell us that when we are faced with trials, we should not be so worried about what we are to say in defense of our faith, but that instead, the Holy Spirit will put the right words in our mouths. This means that the Holy Spirit is always present with us. The Holy Spirit is God within us.

In order for us to develop a relationship with the Holy Spirit, we must think of the Holy Spirit as the air that we breathe. When we inhale and exhale air, it is the Holy Spirit himself who makes it possible, it is the Holy Spirit that is keeping us alive and enabling us to do what we do. The Holy Spirit is always there and we can call on him at any time of the day whether awake or asleep.

Take in a deep breath for instance and say a prayer to the Holy Spirit. It may be a short prayer and as you exhale the air, say another short prayer. Doing this little exercise can catapult you to a higher realm and make you conscious that you are not alone in this life. God is with you right here, right now. Feel his presence in the Holy Spirit.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, make me conscious always of the Holy Spirit in me and with me. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saint Teresa of Ávila, Virgin, Doctor. Bible Study: Ephesians 1:15-23, Ps. 8:2-7, Luke 12:8-12)

© Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu