[stephenkhoo]

THE HOLY SPIRIT AS THE KEY TO REMAINING FIRM IN OUR FAITH IN TIMES OF PERSECUTION
SCRIPTURE READINGS: ACTS 16:22-34; JN 16:5-11
http://www.universalis.com/20140527mass.htm

In yesterday’s gospel, Jesus commissioned His disciples to be His witnesses. At the same time, He warned them that they would be persecuted and expelled from the synagogues. Of course we know that John was writing at a time when the Jewish Christians were already being persecuted and prohibited from worshipping in the synagogues. But this persecution began much earlier as we read in today’s first reading when Paul and Silas were attacked by the crowd and then stripped, flogged, put in the inner prison and their feet chained in stocks.


But what should certainly impress us is the way the apostles responded to the persecution. We see them courageous, confident and calm in the face of threats and crises. Instead of feeling angry at the injustices inflicted on them, we are told, “Paul and Silas were praying and singing God’s praises.” They seemed so assured that God would vindicate and protect them. At any rate, they were not afraid to die. Indeed, when the doors were suddenly opened, they did not even bother to escape. Instead, Paul assured the jailer, “Don’t do yourself any harm; we are all here.” Such calmness contrasted with the fear and discouragement of the jailer.


For ourselves, how many of us can remain steadfast, calm and cool like the apostles in the face of hostilities and difficulties, especially in the midst of our ministry? Isn’t it true that whilst we proclaim that we are ready to die with Jesus and share in His sufferings, the reality is far from our claims? When we encounter negative criticisms, how often do we get angry, resentful, and hit back at our opponents and perceived slanderers, or threaten to throw in the towel? We want people to praise us and affirm us in all that we do. Often, when things are not to our liking, we complain and grumble. If we are unable to tolerate the little sufferings and irritations in daily living, how can we speak about making sacrifices for the gospel, much less dying for Jesus?


Thus, it is important that we ask ourselves, where did Paul and Silas get such energy, valor and firmness in their faith? The answer is found in today’s gospel. It is the power of the Holy Spirit working in their lives. This explains why Jesus, knowing that His departure would cause fear in the hearts of His disciples, assured them that His departure would result in a new coming of the Advocate. It would be a new coming of His presence, a coming that would no longer be constrained by time and place since Jesus in the person of the Holy Spirit can live in the hearts and minds of everyone. More importantly, we must understand the consequences of His coming in the Spirit with regard to our faith.


Firstly, with the experience of the personal presence of the Holy Spirit, we will be convicted of our sins. This, according to Jesus, is the first manifestation of our encounter with the Holy Spirit. Yes, “when he comes, he will show the world how wrong it was about sin … proved by their refusal to believe in me.” If we were to give ourselves to the Lord and experience Him, the first step to take is a true realization of our sinfulness and unworthiness in the face of God’s unconditional love in Christ.


Why is this emphasis on sin fundamental? Unless we realize that we are sinners, we will not feel the need for a saviour. The problem with the world today, especially in the New Age Movements and even Satanic cults, is that they do not see the need of a saviour. The proponents of these Movements, reminiscent of the Enlightenment period and modern philosophers, declare that there is no God or gods but that they are gods. At any rate, people who are not aware of their moral sinfulness also do not see the need for conversion. Thus, they remain in their ignorance and sinfulness.


What then is the way out of this sinful situation? It is the recognition of God’s love in Jesus. If we do not recognize our sinfulness, it is because we do not realize the depth of God’s love for us in Christ. It is the deep awareness of His love that will convict us of our sins and transform us in love. Without a real awareness of our sinful condition, there can be no hope of repentance or conversion. Without repentance, there will also be no gratitude for Jesus. Thus, the emphasis on sin is not so much to make us disheartened or become over scrupulous but it serves as a necessary step to proclaim the love of God in contrast to our lack of love. Of course, if we were to be convicted of our sins, we need the grace of the Holy Spirit. Only the Spirit of Christ can reveal to us the unfathomable love of God and our nothingness.


Secondly, to grow in a steadfast faith, it is not enough to be convicted of our sins; we must also be convinced of the righteousness of Jesus. Precisely, the Jews thought that Jesus was a criminal, a troublemaker and a sinner breaking the laws of Moses. But we know that Jesus was proven to be right because of His return to the Father after His death at the resurrection. In His glorification, Jesus has been vindicated by God to be the Son of God. In this way, the Holy Spirit, who helps us to understand the person of Jesus and experience His liberating and transforming presence in our lives, will also give us the gift of faith to recognize His divinity and that in Jesus, God is fully present.


Thirdly, with the coming of the Holy Spirit, we will recognize that to reject Jesus is to be condemned already. Jesus made it clear that judgment will take place and has already taken place the moment we reject Jesus. This is “proved by the prince of this world being already condemned.” In rejecting the teaching of Jesus and to live in our sinfulness and ignorance; in rejecting the person of Jesus as the Son of the Father who has come to reveal to us His truth and love, we have already judged and condemned ourselves. By not accepting Jesus, we are simply depriving ourselves of truth and life. Indeed, it will not be the Father or even Jesus who will condemn us, but we condemn ourselves since we choose against life.


So, it is clear that without the Holy Spirit, we cannot be convicted of our sins, or be convinced of Jesus as the love of the Father in person; or be aware that we have condemned ourselves for not responding to Jesus and His invitation to life. Hence, in these last two weeks of the Easter season, the Church wants us to contemplate on the Holy Spirit so that we are disposed to receiving Him at Pentecost. Without a reception of the Holy Spirit, we will not only remain powerless in the face of persecutions with regard to our faith but in living our Christian life we find ourselves lacking the motivation and will to live the life of the Gospel. But if we do, then we will find Jesus so real and personal in us in the Holy Spirit that we will be energized by Him in all that we do and say. We will find ourselves having that extra power or strength which can only come from Christ who empowers us in the Spirit.

Written by The Most Rev William Goh
Archbishop of Singapore