In today’s Gospel, Jesus reassures the Apostles that after His ascension, the Father will send the Holy Spirit to teach and remind them of all He has told them. We witness the Holy Spirit fulfilling this promise in our first reading.

The passage from Acts takes place about ten years after the Resurrection. At this point, the young Church faces its first major theological crisis: must Gentile Christians become Jewish before joining the faith? This contentious issue sparked intense debate, especially in verses 3-21, which are omitted from today’s reading.

For me, the most profound statement in Acts today is: “It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us…” This highlights two essential aspects of our Catholic faith. First and foremost, the Church is animated and guided by the Holy Spirit. Secondly, this moment establishes the authority of Ecumenical Councils and the Magisterium. The Old Testament did not provide a direct answer to the question of how Gentiles should be received into the Christian Church. Thus, the Apostles and Church Elders convened in what we now call the Jerusalem Council. They sought the guidance of the Holy Spirit to discern the way forward. Throughout history, the Holy Spirit has led many Church Councils, offering wisdom in times of challenge.

We recently witnessed this divine guidance in the Papal Conclave. As Catholics, we believe that the Holy Spirit guided the Cardinals in selecting Pope Leo XIV. During his inaugural Mass last weekend, Pope Leo beautifully described the conclave as “the working of the Holy Spirit, able to bring us into harmony like musical instruments, so that our heartstrings could vibrate in a single melody.”

Just as the Holy Spirit has guided the Church for two thousand years, He can also lead each of us in our personal lives. As we approach Pentecost and the close of the Easter season, let us open our hearts to His presence. When we invite the Holy Spirit into our lives, He helps us overcome sin, discern God’s will, and find true peace and freedom.

Come, Holy Spirit. May He animate our hearts, guide our steps, and strengthen our faith. The only   requirement is that we remain open and willing to cooperate with His grace. 

-Deacon Russ