Prophetic Witnessing: Confessing the Power of Christ before all
Introduction
When St. Paul speaks to us about God’s power at work in us and in Christ and the Church, in parallel passages he says this is the work of the Spirit. The Spirit unites and animates the Church. He is the Spirit of wisdom. He is the same Spirit of whom Jesus speaks: The Holy Spirit who will teach us what to say and do in times of persecution. Let this Spirit be with us in this celebration.
1 Reading Ephesians 1:15-23
Brothers and sisters:
Hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus
and of your love for all the holy ones,
I do not cease giving thanks for you,
remembering you in my prayers,
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,
may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation
resulting in knowledge of him.
May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened,
that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call,
what are the riches of glory
in his inheritance among the holy ones,
and what is the surpassing greatness of his power
for us who believe,
in accord with the exercise of his great might,
which he worked in Christ,
raising him from the dead
and seating him at his right hand in the heavens,
far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion,
and every name that is named
not only in this age but also in the one to come.
And he put all things beneath his feet
and gave him as head over all things to the Church,
which is his Body,
the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.
Responsorial Psalm 8:2-3ab, 4-5, 6-7
R. (7) You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.
O LORD, our LORD,
how glorious is your name over all the earth!
You have exalted your majesty above the heavens.
Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings
you have fashioned praise because of your foes.
R. You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.
When I behold your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars which you set in place—
What is man that you should be mindful of him,
or the son of man that you should care for him?
R. You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.
You have made him little less than the angels,
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You have given him rule over the works of your hands,
putting all things under his feet.
R. You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.
Alleluia John 15:26b, 27a
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Spirit of truth will testify to me, says the Lord,
and you also will testify.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Luke 12:8-12
Jesus said to his disciples:
“I tell you,
everyone who acknowledges me before others
the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God.
But whoever denies me before others
will be denied before the angels of God.
“Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven,
but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit
will not be forgiven.
When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities,
do not worry about how or what your defense will be
or about what you are to say.
For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.”
Commentary
“There is no pardon for the one who slanders the Holy Spirit.” It is important to note that Jesus speaks of the sin against the Holy Spirit following his encounter with the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law who attributed his ministry to a pact with the devil. Without the Holy Spirit we cannot know or love God. It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that we are able to recognize God in His works. God generously pours out his Spirit on those who ask him (Luke 11:13). A deliberate, stubborn, and persistent rejection of God is a sign of pride and a denial of God’s grace. To attribute to the devil what is actually the work of God’s Spirit is an offense and slander against the Holy Spirit. When one rejects the Holy Spirit and his works, there is no possibility of repentance and conversion, for it is the Spirit that offers such grace. For such persons, there is no forgiveness possible.
In contrast to such people is Abraham who lived by absolute faith, trust, and openness to God’s Spirit. Thus, Abraham was justified not by his works, but by his faith and friendship with God.
Blessing
Like Paul we give thanks to God for the people’s faith in Jesus Christ, a faith that makes them also love one another. And we pray that this faith may endure and nourish our hope, with the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!