Led by the Spirit this Lent A reflection on Bishop Anthony’s priority for the Diocese “The Holy Spirit Leads us in the Way of Discipleship” By Pina Bernard, Team Leader, Parish Renewal & Discipleship, Evangelisation, Broken Bay From the very first Sunday of Lent, we know the journey is probably not going to be easy. Every year, whether the readings are from Matthew, Mark or Luke, we hear the Sunday Gospel reading of the temptation of Jesus in the desert. Lent begins, therefore, with the story of the Spirit leading Jesus to face the evil one. It is helpful to realise that immediately before this passage, Jesus is baptised and experiences the power of the Holy Spirit. The heavens are opened and the Spirit descends on him. Jesus, in his humanity and as an example to us, was able to make amazing inroads into the darkness he encountered in 16 /
the wilderness. This was his mission, to break into those things that dominate and keep people captive, and to bring freedom. We, too, have been baptised in the Holy Spirit, and share the same Spirit and mission. We can often forget, though, about the presence of the Spirit and the power that the Spirit brings us. There are many names that we give to the Holy Spirit – helper, advocate, comforter, counsellor, guide. These are drawn from the Greek word ‘paraclete’ that is used in our Scriptures (see John 14:16 for example). ‘Paraclete’ literally means ‘called to come alongside’. There is a story referred to in the Alpha video series of a pilot and passenger who were flying over
There are many names that we give to the Holy Spirit – helper, advocate, comforter, counsellor, guide. These are drawn from the Greek word ‘paraclete’ that is used in our Scriptures (see John 14:16 for example). ‘Paraclete’ literally means ‘called to come alongside’.
