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Intention

To gain divine wisdom, true knowledge and right understanding through the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth.

Scripture

“I still have many things to say to you, but they would be too much for you now.

“But when the Spirit of Truth comes, he will lead you to the complete truth since he will not be speaking as from himself but will say only what he has learned.”

– John 16:12–13

Reflection

The risen Lord instructed His disciples: “And now I am sending down to you what the Father had promised. Stay in the city then until you are clothed from on high” (Luke 24:49).

So, the disciples gathered in the Upper Room and waited for the fulfilment of the Lord’s promise. This occurred on Pentecost day.

The promise must have seemed mysterious to them. Yet we know that the Lord spoke about His intention no less than three times during the Last Supper discourse. The Lord said that He would send them an Advocate, a helper: “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said to you” (John 14:26).

The promise was that they would receive the Holy Spirit. His presence, among other things, would strengthen and deepen their faith and understanding of it. This reminds us that an important role of the Holy Spirit in the Christian life is to enlighten the mind, guiding it in the way of truth.

In the age of AI, we are more conscious that truth can be manipulated and packaged attractively to lead us astray. We live in a world saturated with media, and the most powerful form of it now is social media. We have all become addicted to our phones and the stimulation of images and movement that they provide.

We need the Holy Spirit more than ever to ensure that we are grounded in Christian truth.

Pope Leo XIII – seen as a model and inspiration by recently elected Pope Leo XIV – wrote:

“We ought to pray and invoke the Holy Spirit, for each of us greatly needs His protection and His help.

“The more a man is deficient in wisdom, weak in strength, borne down with trouble, prone to sin, so ought he the more fly to Him Who is the never ceasing Fount of Light, Strength, Consolation and Holiness.”

Video

Prayer

Lord, enlighten our minds by the gift of Your Holy Spirit. Grant us divine wisdom, true knowledge, and right understanding.

Do not allow the powers of this world to darken our minds. Instead, lead us into all truth. Amen.

Author Bio

Archbishop Julian Porteous was ordained to the priesthood in 1974 and served in parishes across the greater Sydney area. In 2003, he was ordained as an Auxiliary Bishop in the Archdiocese of Sydney. In 2013, he was appointed Archbishop of Hobart, Tasmania, where he currently serves.

Julian was an initial signatory of the Australian Creed for Sexual Integrity, to which he contributed special input.

Prayer Points for GO Month to Pentecost 2025

1. Five friends to trust in Christ and to share the gospel with those five in May. Matthew 28:19–20

2. Repentance, revival and reformation in Australia and for millions to believe in Jesus Christ. Luke 24:47

3. A Church that grows in extravagant love for God and people. 2 Corinthians 5:14–15

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