In this weekend’s Scripture readings—the Acts of the Apostles, 1 Peter, and the Gospel of John—all our readings direct our attention to the power found in our witnessing to the Faith—and the “conduit” through which we are able to become Christian Disciples—witnesses—to Christ Himself: known in Ecclesial language as filioque, or the Holy Spirit.

This weekend’s Gospel of John as did last weekend’s comes to us from the Last Discourse when at the Last Supper Jesus converses with His Apostles and disciples about the teachings He is imparting to them for future believers. As I mentioned last weekend in the homily, we heard how the gift of the Holy Spirit leads us to all Truth and reminds us of all Christ’s teachings so that we are not left alone or orphaned in faith. Again this week we hear of the Advocate’s (Holy Spirit) power and how that Spirit will enable us to become witnesses to the faith and in that act of witnessing, the kind of impact we shall have on the world in which we now live: how we can transform the world by imparting to it the knowledge of God’s love and desire for each of us to share in His Divine Joy.

So just who is the Holy Spirit? And from whom or where does He come?

The Catholic Church believes and teaches—and this was a central issue in the Schism of 1054—that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son, (that is the meaning of filioque) and this double procession from the Father and the Son, a doctrine declared dogma of faith in the Fourth Lateran Council (1215), the Council of Lyons (1274), and the Council of Florence (14438-45). Thus the Church proposed in a clear and authoritative form the teaching of Sacred Scripture and tradition on the Procession of the Third Person of the Holy Trinity.

The Third Person of our Triune God can be understood as the love between the Father and the Son. In our Sunday Mass we profess this dogma in the Nicene Creed, which is common to the Roman Catholic Church and many of the Protestant denominations. It yet divides the Western (us) and Eastern Churches.

Now that we know from whom the Holy Spirit comes, we turn to understanding what the Holy Spirit provides for us as Disciples of Christ. The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (wisdom, understanding, counsel, knowledge, fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord (wonder and awe) are
what power our discipleship. For example, with Wisdom we know what God desires us to know and believe, and with Courage, we are given the strength to live that Wisdom out in our daily lives even when our culture and perhaps our friends and family call us to given into the
accepted beliefs of the modern world. As Saint Paul noted, to paraphrase, what good is it to stand up and fight for something if we are not defending Truth? In the Gospel of John 15:1-8, we are told by Christ that “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in Me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without Me you can do nothing.” It is through our connection to the Church on earth, the Mystical Body of Christ, that we are fed by the Word of God, we are
nourished and fortified by the Sacraments of the Church, we are supported by the Community of Believers (the Church congregation in action) so that we can go out into the world—our families, work places and schools, our communities—and produce much fruit. This fruit (our Christian works of corporal and spiritual works of mercy) needs to be ripe and succulent so that other peoples who witness to our works will want to “eat from them” and so they themselves may be nourished by God and brought into His harvest.

Catholic Churches all over the United States and the world are the largest and most charitable givers and provide food for the hungry, shelter for the homeless, hope to the weary, knowledge to the ignorant, joy to the sorrowful and medical care to the ill and vulnerable. And while we may at times wonder if our works are being recognized by others or are having any impact on the world around us—more than just a band aide type answer, if you will, I can tell you they are. Recently I was told of a parishioner from another parish that is merging/closing in the recent and necessary Pastoral Planning efforts of the Archdiocese of Hartford, which they were  understandably saddened by this loss, and were wondering out loud where they should go the Mass. The overwhelming response on the internet was “go to Saint Catherine of Siena” as it is a wonderful, caring and active parish—very welcoming.” Those descriptive words highlight the Holy Spirit moving dwelling and many hearts in our parish as the men and women of this Catholic community proudly live what they believe: that Christ loves them and desires to be One with them forever in the Kingdom. And saying “yes” to the Holy Spirit, proceeding from the Father and the Son, equals many branches on the Vine of Christ.

As we listen to the Word of God and act upon it through ministry and prayer, we understand that saying “yes” to the Lord and attaching ourselves to His Branch enables us to Be and Become the gift that is the Church on earth, taking ownership of our faith and bring it into the streets and homes of everyday people, imitating Jesus. He rolled up His sleeves and got down with the people, joining in their daily lives. Christ cared for them, hoped with them, led them to the Truth of our existence: to know God, to love and serve God so that we may be with Him in the world to come.

Thank you all for sharing in Christ’s life!