Sunday Reflection with Fr Robin Gibbons - 21 May 2017

Sixth Sunday of Easter 2017

One of the greatest gifts that Vatican II gave back to Catholics of the Latin Rite has been the real opening out of the Scriptures, so that over a three-year Sunday cycle (not to mention the weekday cycle) we are given access to a wonderful selection from the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament. However when we look at how they connect with the season or feast we do need to keep their original context in mind, for we are looking back into time, making real the prophetic oracles of God in our lives, for Christ is also the Word of life dwelling in us.

At this point in the paschal season we often hear John’s Gospel proclaimed, the passages selected are known as the ‘farewell discourses’, a collection of sayings that Jesus speaks to his disciples before his coming death, consoling them and comforting them with assurances that he will be with them, but more than that they will receive the comforting and lasting presence of the Holy Spirit in order that they might perceive Christ dwelling and abiding in them.

One of the great delights of my own ministry has been the gift of being called to transfer from the Latin (Roman) Rite to the Greek-Catholic (Eastern) Rite in order to help ground and root an ancient church of the Middle East in our country. For me personally it’s a joy to grow in understanding of these ancient catholic churches all in communion under the Pope, but more than that, one of the greatest insights from the East, has been the deeply rich spiritual tradition of the Holy Spirit at work and alive in the Church.

The Book of Acts reminds us that our baptism is not complete until we have received the gift of the Spirit, the people of Samaria accepted the Word of God and were baptized, but something was missing, Peter and John were sent down to them:

“…that they might receive the Holy Spirit,
for it had not yet fallen upon any of them;
they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Then they laid hands on them
and they received the Holy Spirit”. (Acts 18:15-17).

Our Christian vocation is not complete until we are given and accept the Holy Spirit who not only abides with us, but also dwells in us and reveals to us the Son and the eternal Father. The Spirit has several roles, teaching, reminding, testifying about Christ, guiding us in truth, permanently dwelling in us so that we are all related, part of God’s own family. What a wonderful gift!

Byzantine Prayer to the Holy Spirit (said at the beginning of every Liturgy)

O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth,
You are everywhere present and fill all things.
Treasury of Blessings and Giver of Life,
come and dwell within us,
cleanse us of all stain,
and save our souls, O Good One.

Fr Robin is an Eastern Rite Catholic Chaplain for Melkites in the UK. He is also an Ecumenical Canon of Christ Church, Oxford