‘I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
When I was young my mother often told me that she had a surprise for me when we got home. Though I would demand she tell me immediately, she never complied. I would wait in wonder and hope for something great. Rarely was I disappointed.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches the disciples all they could hear at that time, and then tells them that the Holy Spirit would lead them and teach them more. Did Jesus know that the disciples’ needed a bit more experience of prayer, healing and ministry to reveal to them the magnitude of God’s presence, love, grace and mercy? I think yes. My everyday experience of people, places and things often shows me signs of the magnanimity of God. Years ago, I purchased David Fleming’s book, The Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius and read it cover to cover. To be honest, I did not find it too enlightening. It was only when I was encouraged to make a seven-day retreat and some years later a 30 day Ignatian retreat that the experience of Ignatian Spirituality became more a part of who I was in my prayer, conversion, healing, ministry and humility than it had simply by reading the book.
Does God want to reveal something to me, to us today? I think yes.
—Joe Spina is a former member of the Parish Mission Team of the Archdiocese of New York as well as working in prison ministry. He trained as an Ignatian spiritual director through the Center for Spirituality and Justice in Bronx, NY.
Gracious God we beg for the grace to bring light to a greater understanding of your call, our response, and your love for us and our love for others. In the midst of this pandemic lead me to the service of others so that I can bring a light in the darkness, food to those in need, and encouragement to those in despair. In Jesus name we pray. Amen
—Joe Spina
Please share the Good Word with your friends!
