HOLY SPIRIT OUR PROTECTOR

WEDNESDAY, SEVENTH WEEK OF EASTERTIDE

Reflection from Friar Nicholas Okeke, OP

Acts 20:28-38; Ps 68:29-30,33-36; Jn 17:11-19

Theme: Holy Spirit our Protector

We reflected on the subject of predestination yesterday, pointing out that the Holy Spirit unites us to God as our last end by filling our hearts with the love of God. In this regard, the Holy Spirit performs two important tasks in us: First, working through our profession of faith in Jesus Christ which makes us children of God and worthy of his indwelling, he gradually leads us into the mysteries of Jesus Christ. These mysteries are, at the same time, the knowledge of the Father, for they are the same. This is what our Lord promised when he said that the Holy Spirit will give to us what is his, for all that the Father has belongs to the Son. Second, corresponding to these illuminations, he fills us with the love of the Son and the Father. This love properly belongs to the Holy Spirit, who is the love of the Father and the Son. These two activities of the Holy Spirit are directed at the two spiritual faculties of our souls: intellect and will. These two activities come after spiritual purgation. The purgative activities have two ends: first, the purification of the mind, the soul, and the spirit; second, the moving of the centre of consciousness and intentionality from the carnal part of the mind to the spiritual part.    

These two-fold activities of the Holy Spirit in a willing Christian soul form the reconstructive work of the Spirit in the soul as he prepares the soul for the full dwelling of the Blessed Trinity. In addition, these works also constitute his protection of the soul from the wiles of the evil one; for by these works, the soul is well fortified by strong ramparts and spiritual gates. Thus, we understand through these works that the Holy Spirit furthers and completes the foundational works done by our Lord Jesus Christ. “While I was with them, I kept those you had given me true to your name. I have watched over them and not one is lost except the one who chose to be lost, and this was to fulfil the scriptures.” As we explained yesterday, the scriptural prophecy did not predetermine Judas’ end but rather outlined the role of the betrayer which is a spirit that Judas allowed to take over him and determine his end. Because spirits are eternal laws (or inclinations or loves) that are principles of actions, they determine the end of the persons who accept their control. Hence, have understood the Holy Spirit as our predestination to God. 

The Holy Spirit is, therefore, the answer to Jesus’ prayer to the Father to protect those who belong to him from the evil one. It is by the Holy Spirit we are consecrated to the truth and kept safe from the falsehood and lies of the evil one. An external fortification the Holy Spirit puts up against the evil one is the raising up of great shepherds who would physically guard the flock of Christ. We see this well illustrated in the first reading. St. Paul was such a great shepherd. In his prayer with the elders of the Church in Ephesus, he urged them to be on their guard and watch over the flock entrusted to them through the power of the Holy Spirit. “I know quite well that when I have gone fierce wolves will invade you and will have no mercy on the flock. Even from your own ranks there will be men coming forward with travesty of the truth on their lips to induce the disciples to follow them.” The need for well-trained and spiritually awake shepherds is dire in the Church, especially this time. There are so many fake brands of the Gospel that only trained and spiritually awake shepherds can detect them. There is a need for regular prayer and meditation on the word of God to align ourselves with the will of God and walk with the Holy Spirit our Protector. 

Let us pray: Grant us, Lord, the grace to respond eagerly to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, that following him always we may come to know the mysteries hidden in Christ Jesus our Lord and be protected from every falsehood and lies of the evil one.

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