Burning with the Holy Spirit

Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church

First Reading: Ephesians 1:15-23

Brothers and sisters:
Hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus
and of your love for all the holy ones,
I do not cease giving thanks for you,
remembering you in my prayers,
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,
may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation
resulting in knowledge of him.
May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened,
that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call,
what are the riches of glory
in his inheritance among the holy ones,
and what is the surpassing greatness of his power
for us who believe,
in accord with the exercise of his great might,
which he worked in Christ,
raising him from the dead
and seating him at his right hand in the heavens,
far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion,
and every name that is named
not only in this age but also in the one to come.
And he put all things beneath his feet
and gave him as head over all things to the Church,
which is his Body,
the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 8:2-3AB, 4-5, 6-7

R. (7) You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.
O LORD, our LORD,
how glorious is your name over all the earth!
You have exalted your majesty above the heavens.
Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings
you have fashioned praise because of your foes.
R. You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.
When I behold your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars which you set in place—
What is man that you should be mindful of him,
or the son of man that you should care for him?
R. You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.
You have made him little less than the angels,
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You have given him rule over the works of your hands,
putting all things under his feet.
R. You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.

Gospel: Luke 12:8-12

Jesus said to his disciples:
“I tell you,
everyone who acknowledges me before others
the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God.
But whoever denies me before others
will be denied before the angels of God.

“Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven,
but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit
will not be forgiven.
When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities,
do not worry about how or what your defense will be
or about what you are to say.
For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.”

NAB

Knowledge matters. To know, to really know God, enlightened by His Spirit, matters. It mattered then and it matters now.

God gives us the Holy Spirit, who descended on the early Church as fire—a spark in the heart of man to ignite the world. And while we don't stand in a room with visible tongues of flame dancing above our heads just like them can't you just imagine it? It's the same flame and the flame still burns. It still burns for the same purpose—over us and in us, to reveal to us the knowledge of God and to inspire us to His loving will for our lives. To inspire us to greatness, even small, everyday greatness.

We don't see it but the flames are still dancing over us. The same One that empowered the Early Church to go into all the world. Their mission is ours now and the flame still burns.

So, where are you today? This very day. Where is your field? Who are your people? That Holy Flame is still burning. Close your eyes and feel it.

Can you feel it?

A great priest I know encourages me often to pray to the Holy Spirit. It's easy for me to forget the Spirit's presence in my life. How beautiful are the words, "Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful . . . ."

That Holy Flame is still burning. Close your eyes and feel it.Click to tweet

Let us pray this today, to see the lit flame of the Spirit and to bid Him come and move us, enkindle in us the fire of your love. "And you will renew the face of the earth." Come.

Blythe Fike is the wife of Kirby and mother of 6 smallish kids. She loves the quiet life in small town SoCal. You can find out more about her here.