Does the Father live with you? If we love Jesus, we will do whatever he tells us (Mary gives such good advice at the wedding at Cana!). Jesus says that his words are the Father’s and we can live with him. At Mass, the Priest says, “Through him, with him and in him.” He sends us the best advocate, the Holy Spirit. Another meaning for Advocate is counselor defender or a legal advocate. Like a lawyer who will go to court to fight for you. If you used a sports analogy, maybe you could say that this is your defense and your offense helping you advance down the field.

I don’t know about you but I am pretty stressed out!

The Holy Spirit will teach us what we need to know and remind us what Jesus said. The end goal is life forever in heaven and peace. Jesus wants to give us HIS peace! Today we CAN have peace in the midst of the troubles of the world. This is a peace that is knowing that we are trying to live like him and with him. We try to turn away from mistakes and not to choose sin. We ask Jesus to walk with us. So we shouldn’t worry too much or be afraid. We have the Holy Spirit to help us. Just ask! He is just waiting to help! You are NOT alone. Peace be with you!

Does the Father live with you? If we love Jesus, we will do whatever he tells us (Mary gives such good advice at the wedding at Cana!). Jesus says that his words are the Father’s and we can live with him. At Mass, the Priest says the prayer, “Through him, with him and in him.” I always had a hard time understanding how this could work. I could know peace and salvation through Him (Jesus). I could ask him to be with me at all times – with Him. But how could I be in Him? Years ago, I struggled with this idea. I could be a temple of the Holy Spirit and carry God with me. I could, like when we were kids, carry Jesus in my heart. I could share him with others and let his light shine through me. I was going to Eucharistic Adoration to sit in Church and just pray, talk and be with him.

I asked God to show me how I Jesus could be in me. I was splitting hairs as they say. Jesus, having been human and not here on Earth anymore, seems totally different. God, of course, can be anywhere and do anything! So I sat in Church for a couple of months asking the same question, “How could I be in Jesus?”

One morning, I had a picture pop into my head while I sat there, again, in Church, wondering. Good word, the Gift of the Holy Spirit, is wonder and awe (or Fear of the Lord)! It was of a cup of tea. I had an aerial view looking down into a cup of water with a tea bag. Clear water pooled around the tea bag. As I watched, the water began to turn brown around the tea bag. I thought, “Oh!” Next thought, “Huh?” Wait, was I the water or the tea bag? I imagined God laughing at my silliness. I thought God was saying, “What does it matter? Together, we are more than we are apart.” I still think in this analogy that the water is the Holy Spirit. That is one of the symbols anyway and live-giving. Me – I am the tea bag. Tasteless and flavorless waiting for something to help me achieve what I was made for! Fine, I’ll take it. Best explanation of got and very plausible! I believe that God has created me with a goal or mission in mind. I have spent my life trying to do that – keeping my eyes open – on the look out for the opportunities he sends me. Only the Holy Spirit can give me the supernatural power to be transformed. I could be the best tea. Even without the added sugar! (Maybe you put sugar in your tea? I don’t.)

Jesus sends us the best advocate, the Holy Spirit, to make it happen. Another meaning for Advocate is counselor/defender or a legal advocate. He’s like a lawyer who will go to court to fight for you. If you used a sports analogy, maybe you could say that He is the defense and offense helping you advance down the field. The Holy Spirit will teach us what we need to know and remind us what Jesus said. The end goal is life forever in heaven. Jesus wants to give us HIS peace! Today we CAN have peace in the midst of the troubles of the world. This is a peace that is knowing that we are trying to live like him and with him. We try to turn away from mistakes and sin. We ask Jesus to walk with us. We decide to have a better life with Him. So Jesus says we shouldn’t worry too much or be afraid. We have the Holy Spirit to help us. Just ask! He is just waiting to help! You are NOT alone. Peace be with you!

For kids, making chocolate milk is a great demonstration. One year, my group said the Spoon was the Holy Spirit! Usually, we are the milk and the Holy Spirit is the chocolate in this analogy. But, what a good insight! The Holy Spirit stirs things up alright!

And don’t forget the good advice from our Mama! Do whatever he tells you! I’m off to make a cup of tea! Will you join me?

Sunday Readings for May 26, 2019 Reflection on John 14:23-29