He intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will
Last week I spoke to my Pastor, Father Jack, and we were speaking of our favorite scripture readings. I had mentioned that my favorite Book of the Bible is Roman’s Chapter 8. There is so much in that one Chapter that I love to read it once per week. It seems that I can use some part of it every day.
Sometimes people tell me that they don’t know what to say to Jesus when they pray. One of my favorite sections is today’s reading answers this question. In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with in expressible groanings. And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will.
This is the most comforting answers we can give anyone even ourselves when we don’t know how to pray for a family member, a friend or again, ourselves. We all forget that the Holy Spirit does not only love us, but He knows us. The Triune God, three in one, knows our sins, weaknesses and the good we do. We can never be embarassed or inadequate speaking to God. He knows what we need and before we do.
That is why Jesus speaks of the vine and branches in today’s Gospel. It stresses on staying connected to Him. It is interesting that if you continue reading John 15 it says, I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment : love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I commanded you. The overall message is how the Holy Spirit keeps us connected by our love for each other. We don’t have to worry about our inadequecies.
In the end the fruit we bare in life is how well we love one another. We may not have the right prayer on our lips but the love in our hearts will bare fruit.
Our Saint today, Saint Teresa of Avila, was a mystic and reformer. Her success was due to her love of her fellow man and her prayer life. So for me today the message of prayer and love is how I should be living my life. I hope that I am. There is always room for improvement.
Jesus knows our hearts. Our prayers and attempts at prayer may seem imperfect to us, but not to Him.
God Love You Always,
Bob Burford
P.S. Please pray for all those who have cancer.
Picture Credit : “The Holy Spirit (Detail) – ceiling of the bronze canopy (1624-1633) by Gian Lorenzo Bernini – Saint Peter Basilica – The Vatican City / Rome” by Carlo Raso is marked with CC PDM 1.0
