I would like to picture myself as one who exudes a loving peace and calm, leading a constant interior prayer life and always connected in some mystical way with the Holy Spirit. But I am not like that.
Instead, I am a more “high energy” kind of guy, tapping my feet and drumming my fingers at lines. I hate having to wait. I get bored when I’m stopped at a traffic signal. I don’t relish frustrating situations. Yet sometimes, I am flooded with the graces of patience and peace amid situations that would normally be stressful for me. I can recognize it right away when it happens and always feel grateful to the Holy Spirit for this new patience and peace that I am certain does not come from me.
I think today’s readings provide us with good examples of some of the graces that come with the Holy Spirit. In the first reading (Acts 5:27‑33), we see the formerly cowardly and impatient Peter, now peacefully standing in court calmly saying, “We must obey God rather than men.” After recounting what those court officers had done to Jesus, Peter adds, “We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.” He feels the peace and calm of the Holy Spirit and recognizes it, much to the fury of the court officials.
In today’s gospel (John 3:31‑36), John also notes that the gifts of the Spirit are not rationed. Instead, those graces are given with a generous and overflowing love. The fruits of the Holy Spirit are clear in our lives when we recognize them. They include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
And the opposite of these gifts also is clear. When our days are filled with gossip, criticism, and judgments, we have lost touch with the Spirit. If we can easily see how others should improve their lives and we hold tightly to the grudges in our own hearts, we have forgotten the generous heart of the Spirit who is constantly pouring down graces on us.
As I marvel at the transformation in the apostles, I also reflect on what changes the Resurrection has made in my own life. The apostles were not super-heroes any more than we are. As they show in the Passion gospel and throughout the New Testament, they were often vain, dense, and cowardly, just like most of us. But in the end, they allow Jesus to transform them, just as we must.
We likely won’t have to confront the Sanhedrin, but we can live the Easter message more fully if we focus on transforming those faults that keep us from living Jesus’ message. We can all work to be more patient and forgiving – and more willing to stick our necks out for our beliefs. If men as ordinary as the apostles could transform themselves (or allow Jesus to do so), then we can too.
May God Bless You and Grant You His Peace!