I will give you all the nations for an inheritance. — Psalm 2:8ab 

Mass Readings: 1 John 3:22–4:6/Matthew 4:12-17,23-25 

Never Alone 

For a long time as I journeyed down my spiritual path, I kept the Spirit at arm’s length, never sure of how to weave this somewhat elusive person of the Trinity into my prayer picture. But as I’ve aged I’ve felt drawn more and more to the whisper of the Spirit, craving slices of silence and solitude to better hear the still, small voice I know is trying to speak to me above the din. 

In today’s first reading, John reminds us that Jesus remains in us “from the Spirit that he gave us.” There is no need to work so hard to weave the Spirit into a life of faith. The Spirit is there always, ever-present, waiting for us to quiet down and simply listen. God never meant for us to go it alone. 

Prayer: Holy Spirit, be my companion and my guide as I go about my day.