The Holy Spirit will teach you everything
Recently, a friend of mine who had completed the Novena to the Holy Spirit told me that it was only on the last day of the novena she realized that all her novena prayers were directed to Jesus and not the Holy Spirit. She said she felt a bit disappointed in herself.
I told her not to let her heart be troubled since the novena in honor of the Holy Spirit was first made at the direction of Our Lord Jesus Christ when He sent His apostles back to Jerusalem to await the coming of the Holy Spirit, on the first Pentecost.
This week’s Gospel captures this connection John 14:15-26 ‘the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you.’ Jesus is clearly explaining the intimate relationship between the Holy Spirit and Himself. So my friend’s prayers were directed to the Holy Spirit as well.
The Holy Spirit is like a shy friend who draws attention to others than to himself. He draws attention to Jesus Christ and the Father. He also speaks up on our behalf as the word ‘Advocate’ implies. He defends us against the accuser, Satan.
As Advocate, the Holy Spirit stands beside us, speaking on our behalf, defending us against the lies and accusations of Satan, the great accuser. When we pray, especially in moments of doubt or unworthiness, the Spirit intercedes with truth and love, reminding us of who we are in Christ.
My friend’s disappointment in herself was exactly the kind of self-condemning thought the accuser thrives on. But the Advocate counters that voice, gently whispering, ‘You are heard, you are loved, you are mine.’ In every honest prayer, the Holy Spirit is already defending us, even when we are not aware.
Like our shy friend, the Holy Spirit, when encouraged, works on our behalf developing qualities within us, the gifts of the Holy Spirit - wisdom, understanding, council (right judgement), fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of God.
We encourage and animate the Holy Spirit in our lives by inviting the Holy Spirit intentionally each day. A simple prayer like ‘Come, Holy Spirit’ opens our heart and mind. Let us surrender our thoughts, plans, and decisions to His guidance.
When we open our heart by developing our inner contemplative self , the Holy Spirit speaks to us, guiding us along our spiritual path.