The Church of Christ carries out her mission through the power of the Holy Spirit
You already know the task of the Church. Do you know, that his actions are guided by the Holy Spirit. Christ sent him on the day of Easter Pentecost, when the apostles and disciples were gathered in the Upper Room, in Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit then imparted His power to the assembled, that they may bear witness to God with their lives.
St.. Stephen, when with his word and his death he testified of Christ. Thanks to the light of the Holy Spirit, Peter understood, that Christ wants, that the Gentiles may also be saved by being baptized. Also St.. Paul, supported by the power of the Holy Spirit, preached the Good News in many countries.
Or only they received the gift of the Holy Spirit ?
Was it only them that needed His help ? And how today Christ gives the power of the Holy Spirit to his Church ?
Samaria Christians receive the Holy Spirit
“When the Apostles in Jerusalem found out, that Samaria accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who came and prayed for them, that they may receive the Holy Spirit. Because he has not come down on any of them yet. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. So then they put on (Apostolic) hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit " (Dz 8, 14-17).
Through baptism, the people of Samaria became the People of God, that is, the Church. Thus, they undertook to live the spirit of the Gospel. They were to preach the Good News and bear witness to Christ, as the Church in Jerusalem did.
Christians in Samaria, to fulfill this task, they needed a lot of skill and courage. It was beyond their human strength. Through the hands of Peter and John, the Holy Spirit gave them power and strength, needed to fulfill these tasks.
The world today needs the power of the Holy Spirit
There are still many shortcomings in the modern world. Not all people lead a life worthy of man. Wars break out time and time again. People hurt each other and suffer injustice. How far from that, that there would be good in the world, love, justice.
Christ called the Church to proclaim the Good News and to combat evil in the world. That is why the Church still needs the power of the Holy Spirit, so that nowadays, just like in Jerusalem or Samaria, could fulfill this task.
The Church is present in the world through individual Christians. Thanks to them, he becomes present in families, in villages and cities. The Church works everywhere there, where Christians fight evil, harm and injustice ; tam, where believers create good by conscientiously carrying out their professional and state duties. The Church responds to the needs of the faithful. It brings them closer to God, sources of justice, love and peace and satisfies their greatest desires and needs.
That the Church may properly fulfill this task, all Christians need the power of the Holy Spirit. Christ gives this power constantly, when, as in Samaria, he gives Christians the Holy Spirit in the sacrament of Confirmation.
How will I answer God ?
When on the sixth Sunday of Passover (year A) you will hear a reading from the Acts of the Apostles about the work of Peter and John in Samaria, know, that God is calling you too, so that you open yourself to the action of the Holy Spirit.
You are now preparing for Confirmation. You too should open yourself to the action of the Holy Spirit.
Pray today :
"About the Creator Spirit, come,
Lead the circle of souls faithful to You, Send the grace of heaven,
Sercom, what your hands are doing… Illuminate our thoughts with light.
Blow holy love in our hearts,
And the weak weakness of our bodies. Strengthen with the constancy of your strength ".
■ Think:
1. How the Holy Spirit worked in the Church in Jerusalem ?
2. Who gave power to the Christians in Samaria to witness for Christ ?
3. What the Church is called to do ?
4. Who now strengthens the Church in her saving action in the world ?
5. Through whom today the growth of good and love in the world is made ?
■ Remember :
21. Through whom the Church is present in the world and leads to salvation ?
The Church is present in the world and leads to salvation through individual Christians.
22. What every Christian needs, that he may contribute to salvation ? Every Christian, to contribute to salvation, he needs the skill and power of the Holy Spirit.
23. When Christians receive the full ability and power of the Holy Ghost ? Christians receive the skill and power of the Holy Spirit in full in Confirmation.
■ Task :
Write in a notebook, where the Church can help people the most today ?