Release the Power of the Holy Spirit

The parable of the prodigal son is about life. It is a lesson on how to share in the abundance of Life that God offers us. We can reflect on the three characters and see ourselves in them, which one are we? or are we “all of the above”?Do we know how to party?The Good Shepherd“When he has brought out all his own. He goes before them and the sheep follow him for they know his voice.” (Jn.10:4) This verse echoes Jesus’ invitation to life. Our focus should always be on Jesus. We have to know how to listen…to recognize the voice of the Good Shepherd.In our day-to-day life, what voices do we listen to? Media bombards us with so much worldliness, emphasizing the importance of youthfulness, beauty of the body, wealth and power. In order to stay on the path the Lord has laid out for us, we must take a step back to evaluate the voices we listen to---On what do you spend your time during the day?…On what do you spend your money?“Truly I say to you, he who hears my voice and believes him who sent me, has eternal life…”(Jn 5:24)In Scriptures, our relationship to God is presented in different analogies: “I am the vine and you are the branches. As long as you remain in me, you bear much fruit; but apart from me you are nothing.”(Jn 15:5) In this image of the vine and the branches, we have to reflect on two things in our relationship with God. (1) How do we remain grafted to the vine? (2) What branches need to be pruned in us?How do we remain in the love of Jesus? …by obeying the two greatest commandments of all: “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength…and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mk 12;30-31). Loving God and loving neighbor always go together. For, one cannot love God without loving his neighbor and vice versa. Knowing how to love one’s self is the best criteria for loving one’s neighbor if that love is not selfish. It should come from recognizing one’s own dignity and worth in God’s eyes nobody can lessen one’s God given dignity no matter what.Silence is the language of God and it is only in silence that we can hear what the Lord wants us to do. In our journey to holiness, there are things we need to get rid of…to prune from the vine. All of us have addictions but many times we don’t recognize them as they are. It is only in the silence of our hearts that we are made aware of the truth about ourselves.Other images that describe our relationship with God are in (1) Isaiah 49, where this is depicted in the love of a nursing mother for her infant child. This is so beautifully expressed in the song, “Spirit of the Living God” (2) Hosea, where God is depicted as the loving husband patiently pursuing his beloved wife even in her unfaithfulness, constantly calling her to “Come back to me…” (3) Song of Songs, where God is the pictured as a fierce and passionate bridegroom with eyes only for his beautiful bride.Which of these images can you relate to that best describes your relationship with God?Sensibility in our spiritual life is so important. How are we being called to love? Much depend on two factors: (1) our personal history (how we are brought up) and (2) the circumstances of our life. As we go through life, we must grow in our Love so that we can enjoy the fullness of Life promised us by the Lord. We must know how to give and receive Love…how to give and receive Life. In giving the gift of life, we must do so with reverence and joy, by being creative in the way we give. We must also give with more freedom and generosity. In receiving Life, we must be more trustful of others and do so with more mutuality.Fruits of the Holy Spirit“Therefore I say to you, walk according to the Sprit and do not carry out the desires of the flesh…both are in conflict with each other, so that you cannot do everything that you would like. But let the Spirit lead you, and do not be subject to the Law.” (Gal.5: 16-18) By their fruits you shall know them. There are two kinds of fruits resulting from our actions:(1)Fruits of the Holy Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, understanding of others, kindness and fidelity, gentleness and self control.(2)Fruits of self-indulgence – immorality, impurity, idol worship, sorcery, orgies, etc.What fruits are being brought about by the way you love? Is there an honest desire in you to be transformed? What are your deepest desires and where are they leading you? Are you sensitive to the workings of the Holy Spirit in you?These are the questions that need to be addressed if we are to receive the fullness of Life made available to us through the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord.

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