Witness

I met with my spiritual director this past weekend. A man who lives his life one day at a time, at the disposal of the Holy Spirit…he is a witness. He also told me that I’ve been doing spiritual direction with him for 15 plus years and maybe “shouldn’t you be better at this?” A work in progress, I guess.

I’ve got a picture of the Annunciation that hangs over the mantle where I pray each morning. It depicts Mary sitting in a humble posture as the Archangel Gabriel approaches. A beam of light comes from outside the frame, from a source above her, and within that beam of light is a dove…the Holy Spirit. Let’s think of another time in scripture: the Apostles are gathered in prayer, they are cowering, they are confused, the doors are locked, Jesus has been crucified…all is lost. What happens next? Jesus appears, shows himself to them, breathes on them and says “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20: 19-23).

We are called to be a witness for Jesus, this message of the Gospel cannot be ignored…but this is not of our own making. The Holy Spirit, our advocate and guide, the power of Christ within us, the gift given at our Baptism, the fire of Divine Love must lead us. Do you want to learn to pray? Do you want your prayer to be better? Do you struggle with anxiety and fear? Well, you would make a great apostle, because that is just what they struggled with – until the Holy Spirit entered their lives.

Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): create time first thing in the morning for prayer and give this time to the Holy Spirit. Begin to live your life under the guidance of the Holy Spirit…be a witness.