Readings: Ephesians 1:15-23, Ps. 8:2-7, Luke 12:8-12
“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’s teaching about the Holy Spirit. Who is the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is God, the third person of the Trinity, and the promised gift Jesus gave the Church upon his ascension; he eventually descended upon the Apostles on Pentecost Day, bringing about the birth of the Church.
In today’s First reading, St. Paul continues his greetings to the Church at Ephesus. He also prays that God will give them “a spirit of wisdom and revelation” so that, with the eyes of their hearts enlightened, they will know the hope to which God has called them. (Ephesians 1:17-18). The spirit of wisdom and revelation St. Paul prays for is the Holy Spirit. He alone can enlighten the eyes of our minds.
Do you know that without the Holy Spirit, no one can say, “Jesus is Lord?” (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:3). We can only witness to Jesus before our brothers and sisters when the Holy Spirit is in us. In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus said: “Everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of man also will acknowledge before the angels of God; but he who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God.” (Luke 12:8-9).
We deny Jesus before men in several ways. We do this by compromising our moral values, hiding or disguising our faith to avoid persecution or ridicule, and prioritising worldly interests over spiritual values. We also deny Jesus through hypocrisy (failing to practice what we preach), being ashamed of dressing as a Christian, and compromise (conforming to worldly standards, watering down Jesus’s teachings, tolerating sin or injustice).
We deny Jesus Christ before others by remaining silent about our faith when we have the opportunity to talk about Jesus, downplaying Jesus’ divinity or authority, speaking negatively about Christianity, or using profanity or blaspheming. In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus warns against blasphemy. “Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of man will be forgiven, but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.” (Luke 12:10).
What is blasphemy? Blasphemy is a term used to describe speech or actions that show disrespect, contempt, or irreverence toward God, sacred things or religious beliefs. For instance, cursing God, mocking God’s existence, spreading false teachings about God, desecrating sacred spaces, objects or texts, engaging in sinful or obscene acts, damaging religious symbols or property, etc. To blaspheme against the Holy Spirit is to attribute the works of the Holy Spirit to Satan. As Jesus warns, anyone who commits such a sin will not be forgiven. Do not joke with the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is the most reliable friend you will ever have. When in trouble, those you call your friends now will show their true colours, but the Holy Spirit will defend you. When trials come your way, Jesus says: “The Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” Learn to call on the Holy Spirit by thinking of Him as the air you breathe. You cannot see it, but you can feel it. You don’t think about it, but you know it is there. Just as no one can survive without air, you cannot do without the Holy Spirit.
St. Ignatius of Antioch, also called Ignatius Theophorus, was a prominent early Christian writer and the Patriarch of Antioch. Born around 35 AD, Ignatius became a follower of the Apostle John. He played a crucial role in the early Church by promoting unity among Christians and highlighting the significance of the Eucharist. Ignatius is especially remembered for the letters he wrote to various Christian communities while travelling to Rome, where he was martyred around 107 AD. His letters offer valuable insights into late-1st-century Christian beliefs and worship practices.
St. Ignatius left a lasting impact by supporting the Church’s hierarchical structure and firmly opposing false teachings. His martyrdom, where he was thrown to wild beasts in the Colosseum, stands as a powerful testament to his steadfast faith and dedication to Christ.
Let us pray: Almighty ever-living God, who adorn the sacred body of your Church with the confessions of holy Martyrs, grant, we pray, that, just as the glorious passion of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, which we celebrate today, brought him eternal splendour so that it may be for us unending protection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop, Martyr. Liturgical Colour: Red. Bible Study: Ephesians 1:15-23, Ps. 8:2-7, Luke 12:8-12)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu