Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Monday of the 7th week of Easter, June 2, 2025

Delivered by Josephine Mercy Ho from the Parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. Acts of the Apostles 19: 1-8; Rs psalm 68: 2-3.4-5ac.6-7b; John 16: 29-33.THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS US TO CARRY THECROSS The title for our meditation today is:The Holy Spirit Helps Us Carry The Cross. In religion class, a student askedhis teacher: "The gospel is called the good news, but why are we taughtabout the cross and suffering? Where's the joy of the Gospel? " The lady teacher who has fullexperiences in teaching religion answered by using the analogy of a pregnantmother. In fact the pupil’s mother was pregnant at that time with her secondchild. "You at home are happy looking forward to the birth of your sister,right? That is a good news. But your mother bears all the heavy burdens, shehas a lot of trouble every day, and even more so when she gives birth, howpainful she will be. All is about cross and suffering. But after giving birth,all of you in the family will be happier than now." The pupil fell silent and understood.He is like many of us who often regard the cross as a burden that will notescape from us. We often protest God, why the burden or suffering is very heavyand painful. If the holy martyrs in the Church could testify to us, theycertainly repeat what the Gospel proclaims today: But take courage andstrengthen your heart, because we are the true witnessess that Jesus hasovercome the world! Jesus defeated the world with theCross He carried with Him and upon it he was crucified. The Holy Spirit helpsus to see the cross as the power and the way we defeat the world. The cross isa victory and glory. Therefore, we cannot just consider it simply a futilesuffering, ignorance and scandal. Jesus had carried the cross to conquer theworld. So we don't have to worry or be ashamed of the cross. Jesus gives us the best gift, that isHis own Spirit and that means we are baptized in the Holy Spirit. We have allreceived it through the sacrament of baptism, or the same also received byApollos and his friends during the early Church evangelization. There is layingon of hands when the Holy Spirit fills us at the time of the sacrament ofConfirmation. Pentecost will be a reminder of our renewal in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit strengthens us withfaith, courage, perseverance and loyalty so that we are able to live tomorroweven though we will face many obstacles and difficulties. In carrying each ofour cross, the Holy Spirit is present with us. After passing through thesedifficulties and sufferings, the Holy Spirit also stays with us in all joy andpeace. Let's pray. In the name of theFather ... Almighty and everliving God, may we remain in longing and passion towelcome the Holy Spirit and remain in the path of salvation. Glory to theFather and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father ...