Seeking to Be in Tune with the Holy Spirit
The feast of the Presentation of the Lord is celebrated 40 days after the Christmas festivities. It celebrates when the Lord Jesus was brought into the Temple by his parents. The Gospel was taken from Luke 2:22- 40.
During Mass at St. James Catholic Church in Osu, Ghana, Rev. Fr. Ebenezer Akesseh delivered a homily that touched on many important themes. But he asked a question which stood out to me: Are you in tune with the promptings of the Holy Spirit? The priest referenced Simeon, a man who was led by the Spirit to the temple at just the right moment to witness the infant Jesus. This struck me deeply, and I found myself wondering what it actually meant to be in tune with the Holy Spirit.
I kept asking myself this question to the point where I struggled to focus on the rest of the homily.
What Does It Mean to Be in Tune with the Holy Spirit?
To help me answer the question of whether I was in tune with the Holy Spirit, I needed to know what it means to be in tune with something.
The dictionary defines ‘in tune’ as “in agreement or harmony.” Therefore, being ‘in tune with the Holy Spirit’ implies being in agreement and harmony with the Holy Spirit. This suggests a deep connection, an ability to sense and respond to divine guidance. Ultimately, being in tune with the Holy Spirit signifies hearing His voice with such clarity that our actions are guided by unwavering faith and immediate response.
What Must We Do to Be in Tune with the Holy Spirit?
With the above explanation, I guess I have my answer to Father’s question. No! I do not think I am in tune with the Holy Spirit. For some time now, I have desired to hear God speak to me in making certain life changing decisions. I’ve sometimes felt distant, as though I was struggling to hear His voice. I cannot confidently say that all the decisions I made were inspired or directed by God though I fervently prayed and in some cases fasted about them. I do not know exactly what I was expecting but I think maybe I wanted to hear a voice, dream about it, get a comforting message from someone or at the very least be at peace but it never happened that way. I went ahead to make those decisions feeling uncertain, afraid, and lacking confidence, constantly questioning whether I had chosen the right path.
I admire (read it as jealous) when I hear people share experiences like, “And God told me”’ “I could feel the Holy Spirit in the room,” or “I heard a voice tell me”. I often wonder when I will experience this.
Reading about Simeon made me reflect on my own spiritual life. Let’s stay on Luke 2:25- 27:
25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law.
Here, there are repetitions of how the Holy Spirit was at play in the life of Simeon. “Holy Ghost was upon him”, “revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost”, “he came by the Spirit”. I can deduce from the text that, Simeon achieved this beautiful relationship with the Holy Spirit because he was a “just and devout man” The New King James Version says he was a “good and God-fearing man”.
In Gen 6:10, Noah, was described as the someone was a just man, perfect in his generation. Noah walked with God” In Job 1:1b, Job was also described as a “good man, careful not to do anything evil” (GNT).
I notice that all these men of God were described as good, just, devout, and God-fearing, they walked closely with God. After all, can two walk together unless they agree? So, I believe being in tune with God requires us to walk blamelessly before Him. We are all fallible, but what truly matters is our willingness to strive for a life that is pleasing to God.
While discussing this topic with my friend Jude Vava, he reminded me of the fact that God is really talking to some of us. It’s either we are not listening, or we need guidance and direction to clearly know the voice of God and respond accordingly. He used Samuel as an example. Samuel was the son that his mother had longed and prayed eagerly for. After his birth, he was dedicated to God, however, he did not know God. “Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor was the word of the Lord yet revealed to him.” (1 Samuel 3:7). It took the direction and guardians of Eli for Samuel to know God. This highlights the importance of spiritual mentorship in learning to hear and recognize God’s voice.
However, we must remember that 1 Peter 2:9 says, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation”. In the Old Testament, only Priests could enter the Holy of Holies to meet with God, but through Christ, we all now have that privilege of having direct access to God. We are not just followers but a royal priesthood and His own special people.
Since we have this access, it is crucial that we strive for a personal relationship with God. He has already chosen us, set us apart, and given us the ability to hear and know Him. But just like any relationship, it requires intentional effort such as spending time in prayer, studying His word, and being sensitive to His voice.
However, it is important to note that, hearing the voice of God or being in tune with the prompting of the Holy Spirit also requires us to act on the word. Simeon did not ignore the prompting he received, he moved, he obeyed, and because of that, he encountered the Savior of the world.
Philip was told by an Angel of the Lord to approach the Ethiopian eunuch’s chariot, leading to the man’s baptism (Acts 8:29-39). Paul was forbidden by the Spirit to preach in certain regions but was later given a vision to go to Macedonia (Acts 16:6-10). Mary received the angel’s message with humility, allowing herself to be led completely by God’s will (Luke 1:38).
In each of these cases, the individuals not only heard the Holy Spirit/Angel/God but responded in obedience.
A Call to Transformation
I cannot claim to have all the answers, but I know that this question, Am I in tune with the promptings of the Holy Spirit, is one I must continue to ask myself. The journey to truly encountering the Holy Spirit is one of daily surrender. It is a process, a constant striving. So, to anyone who, like me, desires a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit, let’s make this Catholic prayer to the Holy Spirit our daily prayer.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill my heart with Your holy gifts. Let my weakness be penetrated with Your strength this very day that I may fulfill all the duties of my state conscientiously, that I may do what is right and just.
Let my charity be such as to offend no one, and hurt no one’s feelings; so generous as to pardon sincerely any wrong done to me.
Assist me, O Holy Spirit, in all my trials of life, enlighten me in my ignorance, advise me in my doubts, strengthen me in my weakness, help me in all my needs, protect me in temptations and console me in afflictions.
Graciously hear me, O Holy Spirit, and pour Your light into my heart, my soul, and my mind. Assist me to live a holy life and to grow in goodness and grace. Amen.
It is my prayer that we continue to strive to build a personal relationship with God and stay in tune with the Holy Spirit.
By Portia Anani
