SOMETIMES IT’S HARD to tell the difference between divine inspiration and just a good idea.
Did this movement come from God or from my own brain? But the things the Holy Spirit does, and the things we do, are not mutually exclusive. He assists in our works, and we assist in His. Sometimes, it’s very subtle. Sometimes, He makes it obvious.
I participated in a mission trip to Coahuila, Mexico when I was in college. As one of a few Spanish majors on the team, I was assigned to a lot of interpretation, which made me incredibly nervous.
One evening, during a praise and worship event, one of the other students began to speak in tongues (which I had seen before at similar events.) Then another of the students began to interpret the tongues (which I had not witnessed before!) Now I’m suddenly part of a prayer team where the Spirit was moving very powerfully, and I realized that I needed to translate the interpretation of tongues from English into Spanish for the woman we were praying over.
The gravity of this situation was unbearable, but I began. And as I started to translate this prayer, I felt something gently disconnect between my brain and my mouth. I gave over my will and let the Holy Spirit give me the words. I felt like I was merely a channel for Him to move through, passing the message He had for this woman through my own meager abilities, put to His use.
I’ve felt the Holy Spirit work through me at other times since—never as dramatically. Whenever I have to speak to a group, or anticipate a difficult conversation, I try to ask the Holy Spirit to help me. I usually find that communication of all kinds is clearer where the Holy Spirit is working.
Jesus told the disciples, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always.” (John 14:16) This word, “advocate”, sometimes translated as “counselor”, brings up images of a lawyer in a courtroom. If you ever find yourself in front of a judge, you know that listening to your lawyer will get you the best results. His job is to advise you what to do, and to speak on your behalf. This is exactly what the Holy Spirit does for us as well.
Pentecost is the perfect example. In today’s reading, we hear how St. Peter, who 50 days before was stammering his three denials, is now emboldened by his confirmation in the Holy Spirit and given the words to convert three thousand new Christians in a single day.
The Holy Spirit is still alive and active in the Church today. He’s alive and active in you as a baptized and confirmed Catholic. He wants to be your advocate and counselor, guiding your discernment and your actions.
Call out to Him each day, begging His intercession and direction in your work. Open yourself up to his movements and his calling. Invite Him to participate in your work and bring it to bear fruit. Respond to His invitation to participate in His work in you and in the world.
You may not always feel a dramatic presence of consolation when you call upon the Holy Spirit, but I promise that His fruits will make themselves apparent when you trust Him and open yourself to His work in and through you.
May the gifts of the Holy Spirit empower you to accomplish the plans God has set out for you.