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 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’.

Florida in August 2000. The pilot lost consciousness whilst flying, leaving the passenger to land the plane. The passenger’s call for help was picked up by a flight instructor who was in the middle of a lesson. The instructor was able to fly his plane alongside the plane in trouble. Through radio communication, he was able to give instructions to the passenger and talk him through what was needed to bring the plane to a safe landing. This is similar to how the Holy Spirit guides us, coming alongside us, comforting us, advocating for us, and steering us in the right direction.

You could say that the Spirit ‘conspires’ with us. Usually the word ‘conspiracy’ has negative connotations, of plotting together for a malicious act. But in this instance the Spirit is plotting with us towards a positive end. The word ‘conspire’ means ‘to breathe together’, and this ‘conspiracy of the Holy Spirit’ is the Spirit collaborating with us by breathing into our lives and guiding us. The Spirit as our helper is often the best-kept secret!

This then leads to the question, where is the Holy Spirit leading us to? As disciples of Jesus, baptised in his name, we are on a path to becoming like him. Being anointed with the oil of Chrism, we share in the anointing of being set apart for God’s great purpose. Our ultimate aim is to be holy as God is holy – to be Christ-like; to live in the freedom of the children of God; to discover and fulfil our purpose as human beings; to live a life of love; and to share this with others. We can’t do this on our own, so the Holy Spirit comes to help us by bestowing gifts on us such as courage, understanding, right-judgement and wisdom. however, is that The Spirit is not a ‘thing’, but rather a ‘person’. We can pray specifically to the Spirit, to invite the Spirit’s action in our lives and circumstances. A recent guest on an Alpha Series in my parish shared that she always prayed to ‘God’. She did not see the need to pray to all three persons of the Trinity. But during Alpha, she was invited to pray to the Holy Spirit. She says, “Alpha explained Christianity and the role that Jesus and the Holy Spirit play in our lives and in prayer. I started testing this around week three by making sure I included Jesus and the Holy Spirit in my evening prayers, and was surprised at the peace, love and reassurance it brought me.”

The Alpha Series also involves a retreat on the Holy Spirit which acquaints (or reacquaints) guests with the Spirit and invites them to welcome the Spirit into their lives. This can really transform their spiritual lives and open them up to the power of God in a new way.

Praying to the Holy Spirit and asking the Spirit to come is one of the most courageous prayers because we open ourselves to allowing the Spirit to act in our lives in whatever way the Spirit chooses. And the Holy Spirit is unpredictable – the Spirit can be like breath, gently guiding; or like fire, tearing through and burning up.

This is the journey that Lent invites us into – allowing the Spirit to move in whatever way we might need right now. Will the Spirit lead us into the desert to face our own sinfulness and lead us to a necessary repentance? Or will the Spirit guide us gently through a difficult time and help us find a loving path forward that brings us peace? The Holy Spirit can surprise us, and we can be assured that ultimately it will be for our good, to lead us further on our path towards holiness.

In the book of Acts, Chapter 1, we read: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8). This power is what the Church needs right now, to help chart our way forward with renewed enthusiasm and courage. This Spirit has been given to us already, so we should expect the Spirit to act and to animate and stir up what has been lying dormant or forgotten.

This Lent, let’s recognise that we don’t have to be overpowered by what is oppressing us, such as fear, anger or guilt. We have help, so let’s ask – and expect – the Sprit to act. Let’s have the courage to pray, ‘Come, Holy Spirit’.

References: Pentecost Pilgrimage talks by Dr Mary Healy and Fr Ken Barker (2020)