Two friends went to Niagara Falls. They viewed the expansiveness of the falls from above. Then they went below, where they heard the water roar, as it tumbled over the edge and hit the rocks. As they stood there in awe and wonder, one said, “This has got to be the most unused source of power in the world.”
His friend responded, “The unused power of this waterfall is great, but there is a greater unused power. The greatest unused power in the world, perhaps, is the power of the Holy Spirit.”
And it is the power that Jesus promises to His disciples, and to us, in John’s Gospel today.
Jesus knows that He must return to the Father. But before He leaves, He prepares His disciples to continue the mission He has begun. Jesus foretells the opposition and persecution that His followers will have to endure.
However, He doesn’t want His followers to be orphans. Jesus wants them, and us, to know that He likes being with His disciples and followers. So, He promises His Spirit, the Paraclete, the imminent source of power, as their and our advocate.
Through life’s difficult times, sometimes we depend on professionals to cope with situations. These professionals, however, can be expensive and unavailable without prior appointment. Also, they are subject to error.
The Paraclete, whom Jesus sends us, is free, always with us, and always available to offer power and wisdom that are simply unavailable elsewhere else.
The Paraclete is the Counsellor who helps us to be our best selves. To the early Christians, whom the world would hate, the synagogues would excommunicate, and Rome would persecute, this was Good News.
They had no access to professional counseling, but they did have each other – and they had the Paraclete.
The promise of Jesus can be Good News for us today if we unleash the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit in our life situations and our decisions.
Sisters and brothers, the Holy Spirit indeed is a source of power within each of us! He can give us inner peace, and fix broken relationships. He can help us make the right decisions, uplift our spirits when we are discouraged and hopeless.
Let us take advantage of that enormous energy. Let us pray, “Come Holy Spirit, fill us with your power.”
- Father Jilson's inspirational homily was recorded live this morning during Mass at the Father Peyton Center. Please view the video on our Facebook page. (You don't need a Facebook account to view.)
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