You can see that the readings are preparing us for Pentecost, as both the first reading from Acts and the Gospel of John focus on the power of the Holy Spirit. Often times, this third person of the Holy Trinity is the least called upon, the least remembered, but always the quiet one working in the background – a whisper in the wind, though quite powerful. As Catholics, we all need to remind ourselves from time to time that the Holy Spirit is the one that reveals God’s will to us and the one who offers direction for our lives and truths about ourselves.
The question I ask myself, and you, is “Do we go to the Holy Spirit when we have questions about our lives, when we want to know some truth about ourselves or what may lie in store for us?” What I am going to bring up may upset some of you. You may think the matters trivial but they are quite serious and can have serious repercussions.
People are curious by nature. This is not bad in and of itself, for curiosity helps us to ask questions about God, our faith, and those things that are important to us. The problem is we do not always seek the Holy Spirit for answers in our lives. Sometimes we will dabble with horoscopes, numerology, fortunetellers and psychics, read the bottom of tea cups, play with tarot cards or even Ouija boards.
Just to be clear let’s take a look at what Scripture says about such things:
“Do not go to mediums or consult fortunetellers, for you will be defiled by them. I, the LORD, am your God.” (Leviticus 19:31,
“And when they say to you, ‘Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter,’ should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living?” (Isaiah 8:19,
“Thus Saul died because of his rebellion against the LORD in disobeying his command, and also because he had sought counsel of a necromancer, and had not rather inquired of the LORD. Therefore the LORD slew him, and transferred his kingdom to David, the son of Jesse.” (1 Chronicles
“In the king's presence Daniel made this reply: ‘The mystery about which the king has inquired, the wise men, enchanters, magicians, and astrologers could not explain to the king. But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what is to happen in days to come; this was the dream you saw as you lay in bed.’” (Daniel 2:27-28, NAB)
"When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone . . . who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord.” (Deuteronomy 18:9-11,
There are dozens of Scripture passages that warn us of such practices. You may think the warnings are harsh, overreactions, or that they just do not apply to you. God warns us because he knows what these practices can do. The first thing they do is subtly move us from relying on God for the answers to someone or something else. Any movement away from God is a victory for the devil. The devil, you see, will not come to us with horns, pitchfork, and a tail. No, he comes in disguises of light. Lucifer means “the angel of light”. The first task of Satan is to make us believe we are not sinning, that he does not exist, and that what we are doing is not only okay but good.
My argument is not simply about ‘don’t do this’ or ‘avoid that’, but there is a logic to it. We are all believers. We go to Church; therefore we obviously believe, or at least that is the assumption. Just a short time ago on Good Friday, we remembered the crucifixion of our Lord. Here was the Son of God, who picked up a cross, carried it, and then was nailed to it. This act proves his love for us, for he did not die for himself but for us. If he can do that, can’t he answer us when we pray? Also, what fortune teller, horoscope writer, numerologist or diviner is going to carry a cross for us and then be nailed to it? Not a one!
God asks us that we go to him for every single need and question that we have. In particular, we are to go the Holy Spirit whom Jesus has given to us in baptism and confirmation. Let me present to you some Scripture that will help us to see this Truth.
“In the same way, the Spirit, too, comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because it intercedes for the holy ones according to God's will. We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:26- 28,
“But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming.” (John 16:13,
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf of bread? Or a snake when he asks for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him?” (Matthew 7:7- 11,
Is Jesus telling the truth? If we believe he is then it is never necessary to seek the answers anywhere else but through God. What will the bottom of a tea cup tell me, or a fortune teller, or someone who studies numbers, or the stars? They can tell me nothing. Why place my trust in anything but God?
As Pentecost approaches, we should make every effort to remember the Holy Spirit and the good that he does for us. The Holy Spirit does so much for us: he reveals to us the mysteries of God; helps us to pray; guides our will towards the Father; bestows gifts and graces on us; reveals to us truths about ourselves to help us to live holy and good lives. Pray that we will always place our trust, not in dead things, but in the living God, who is the giver of every good gift.
Fr. John
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