Moments with the Gospel: Thinking about Herod in Luke 9:7-9

 Moment with the Gospel Series.

Moment with the Gospel Series.

Today as I was meditating on Luke 9:7-9, I wondered about Herod.

Who is the Herod in Luke 9:7–9?

This is Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great:

• Herod the Great (the father) was the king who ordered the massacre of the infants in Bethlehem (Mt 2:16–18). He died in 4 BC, before Jesus’ public ministry.
• Herod Antipas (the son) ruled Galilee and Perea. He is the one in Luke 9:7–9 who hears about Jesus and is puzzled — some say Jesus is John the Baptist raised from the dead, others Elijah, others one of the prophets.
  He is also the one who ordered the beheading of John the Baptist (Lk 9:9; Mk 6:17–29). Later, during the Passion, Pilate sends Jesus to this same Herod (Lk 23:7–12).

So in this passage, it is the son (Herod Antipas), not the father.

 

Practical Reflection Questions for Today

Luke presents Herod as curious but conflicted. He hears about Jesus, is intrigued, but does not truly seek Him with an open heart. That tension offers us some very practical points for reflection:

1. Curiosity vs. Commitment

• Am I simply curious about Jesus, or am I committed to following Him?
• Where in my life do I settle for “hearing about” Jesus rather than truly encountering Him?

2. Fear of Losing Control

• Like Herod, do I resist Jesus because following Him might disrupt my comfort, power, or plans?
• What areas of my life am I afraid to surrender to God’s authority?

3. Voices That Confuse

• Herod hears conflicting reports about Jesus. In today’s world, what “voices” or influences confuse or distract me from the truth of who Jesus is?
• How can I better listen to the voice of Christ in Scripture, prayer, and the Church?

4. Responding to God’s Messengers

• Herod silenced John the Baptist rather than heed his call to conversion. How do I react when challenged by God’s Word or by someone who calls me to change?
• Do I silence or ignore those calls, or do I allow them to lead me deeper into faith?

5. Seeking Jesus

• Herod “kept trying to see Jesus” (Lk 9:9). What steps am I taking this week to truly see Jesus — in prayer, in the Eucharist, in the poor, in my neighbour?

.

Herod Antipas remains stuck in puzzlement. In Luke 23, when Jesus is brought to him, he is still curious but shallow. He wanted to see a sign or miracle, almost like entertainment, but when Jesus remains silent, Herod mocks Him and sends Him away.

It’s striking:

• He had heard John the Baptist and was perplexed.
• He had heard about Jesus and was perplexed.
• He even met Jesus face to face during the Passion… and still walked away unchanged.

His story is a kind of warning. Curiosity without openness, puzzlement without humility, never leads to faith. He had every opportunity, but pride and fear kept him from seeing the truth.

 

A gentle reflection point for us today might be:

• Where in my own life am I “stuck in puzzlement” — circling around questions about Jesus but not yet letting Him transform me?
• Am I content to “hear about” Him, or am I willing to let Him speak into the deepest part of my life, even if it unsettles me?

 Herod was “anxious to see Jesus,” but for the wrong reasons: he wanted spectacle, signs, something to satisfy his curiosity or ease his conscience.

Reflection: When am I anxious to see Jesus, and why?

• In longing — Do I feel an ache or impatience to see Him in prayer, the Eucharist, or Scripture because my soul knows only He can satisfy?
• In desperation — Do I turn anxiously to Him in times of fear, pain, or uncertainty, and why? Is my “anxiety” rooted in trust or in trying to control outcomes?
• In joy — When I anticipate His presence (in worship, in serving others, in quiet prayer), is it like waiting for a dear friend at the door?
• In distraction — Sometimes my “anxiety” is more like restlessness — I want Him to do something spectacular rather than simply be with me.

 

A practical prayer question could be:

• “Lord, help me notice when I am anxious to see You. Purify that longing so that it leads me to deeper trust and love, not just curiosity or self-comfort.”

Why did others think Jesus was someone else?

In Luke 9:7–8, the crowd is saying Jesus might be John the Baptist risen from the dead, Elijah, or one of the ancient prophets come back to life. A few reasons help explain this:

1. Prophetic Patterns in Israel’s History

• People saw Jesus doing mighty works (healing, raising the dead, feeding multitudes) and preaching with authority. That reminded them of the prophets who had gone before — Elijah, Elisha, Moses.
• They looked to the past to interpret the present, because that was their frame of reference. They didn’t yet see Him as the new thing God was doing.

2. Messianic Expectations

• Many Jews expected Elijah to return before the Messiah (cf. Malachi 4:5). Seeing Jesus’ power, some assumed He must be Elijah heralding the end times.
• Others thought perhaps God had raised up an ancient prophet as a sign that His promises were near.

3. The Impact of John the Baptist

• John had stirred the whole nation with his preaching and call to repentance. When Jesus came preaching in a similar fiery way and performing miracles, it was natural for some to connect Him with John — or even think He was John returned from the grave.

4. Partial Understanding

• People recognized there was something of God in Jesus, but they didn’t yet grasp His full identity. Their guesses show both respect and confusion — they sensed holiness but couldn’t yet see the Son of God clearly.

Reflection for Today

Sometimes we too can “mistake” Jesus — not in His identity, but in what we expect of Him.

• Do I expect Him mainly to be a miracle worker, problem solver, or teacher of morals?
• Or do I see Him as Lord, Savior, and Friend — someone who calls me to relationship, not just admiration from afar?

Here’s a set of reflection questions that tie together both parts of Luke 9:7–9 (the crowd’s puzzlement) and Luke 9:18–20 (Jesus’ direct question).

 

Reflection Questions: Who do you say that I am?

1. The Crowd’s Perceptions

• Where do I see myself in the crowd — hearing about Jesus but not fully recognizing Him?
• Do I sometimes reduce Jesus to just a prophet, healer, or teacher rather than Lord and Savior?
• Whose “voices” influence the way I see Jesus today (media, culture, friends, even my own fears)?

2. Herod’s Puzzlement

• Like Herod, am I sometimes curious about Jesus but reluctant to let Him change my life?
• Where am I still “puzzled” by Him — struggling to understand His ways or His silence?
• Do I seek Jesus out of entertainment, curiosity, or convenience… or out of love and faith?

3. Peter’s Confession

• When Jesus asks me personally, “Who do you say I am?”, what would my honest answer be today?
• How has my understanding of Jesus grown or changed over the years?
• Do I truly let Him be the Christ (the Anointed One) in my daily life — guiding decisions, shaping relationships, healing wounds?

4. Bringing it Home

• Where am I anxious to see Jesus this week, and why?
• How can I move from just “hearing about” Him to truly encountering Him in prayer, Scripture, Eucharist, or service to others?
• What is one small way I can live differently today because I believe He is more than a prophet — He is Lord?

 

1. Recognition

The crowd recognizes something extraordinary in Jesus — they don’t dismiss Him — but their recognition is partial and misplaced (John the Baptist, Elijah, a prophet). It’s like seeing the outline of the truth but not the whole picture.

• Reflection: Where do I recognize Jesus only in part? Do I sometimes see Him as just a helper, comforter, or teacher — but not yet fully as Lord of my life?

 

2. Identity

Jesus’ true identity is gradually revealed: not just another prophet, but the Christ of God. Herod never grasped this. Peter, with grace, begins to name it. But even Peter’s understanding was incomplete until the Cross and Resurrection.

• Reflection: How do I grow in my awareness of who Jesus really is? How is my own identity tied to His — as His disciple, His beloved, His witness?

 

3. Acceptance

Recognizing Jesus’ identity is only the first step. Acceptance means allowing His identity to reshape my own. Herod recognized something but never accepted it. Peter recognized and began to accept — though with stumbling. True discipleship comes in that acceptance, even when it is costly.

• Reflection: What parts of Jesus’ identity am I eager to accept (Healer, Friend, Shepherd)?
• What parts do I resist (Lord, Judge, Suffering Servant)?
• How willing am I to let His identity define who I am?

The Gospel isn’t only about who Jesus is — it’s also about whether we are willing to accept Him for who He is and let that change our identity.

Recognition, identity, and acceptance aren’t only about how we see Jesus — they ripple out into how we see others, and how we allow ourselves to be seen.

 

Recognition of Others

In Luke 9, people mis-recognized Jesus. They saw something holy but couldn’t name Him rightly. In our communities, this happens too: people may fail to see one another’s gifts, or may box someone into an old image instead of recognizing the Spirit’s work in them.

• Question: Do I truly see and recognize the unique gifts in those around me, even if they’re not what I expect?

 

Identity in Community

Jesus’ identity was not defined by the crowd’s opinions — it was rooted in the Father’s love. Likewise, your identity isn’t determined by whether parish members accept or overlook your contributions. Your identity is beloved daughter, called and gifted by God.

• Question: Do I rest my identity more in God’s gaze or in the shifting recognition of people?

 

Acceptance — Giving and Receiving

Sometimes in parish life or at work or even in our own family, we long to be accepted for who we are and for what we offer, but instead meet resistance or indifference. It is painful. Jesus too experienced rejection from His own people. Yet He kept offering Himself.

• Question: How can I live acceptance in two directions — accepting myself as God sees me, and accepting others even when they struggle to see me rightly?

 

• The Gospel challenges us to see who Jesus truly is.
• But it also challenges us to see who others truly are in Him.
• And finally, it invites us to accept ourselves as God sees us — even when others fail to.

 

A Prayer for Recognition, Identity, and Acceptance

Lord Jesus,
You were misrecognized by the crowds,
and even those closest to You stumbled in knowing who You truly are.
Yet You never wavered in Your identity as the Beloved of the Father.

When others overlook my gifts or fail to accept me,
remind me that my worth is not measured by their opinions
but by Your love.

Help me to see myself through Your eyes:
called, chosen, gifted, and deeply loved.
Help me also to see others as You see them,
recognizing their gifts even when it is hard.

When I feel unaccepted, let me rest secure in You.
When I feel unseen, remind me that You notice every detail of my heart.
And when I feel discouraged, lift me to keep offering my gifts anyway —
for Your glory, not for human approval.

Jesus, my identity is in You.
Jesus, my gifts are from You.
Jesus, my acceptance is in You.

Amen.

Today as I was meditating on Luke 9:7-9, I wondered about Herod.

Who is the Herod in Luke 9:7–9?

This is Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great:

• Herod the Great (the father) was the king who ordered the massacre of the infants in Bethlehem (Mt 2:16–18). He died in 4 BC, before Jesus’ public ministry.
• Herod Antipas (the son) ruled Galilee and Perea. He is the one in Luke 9:7–9 who hears about Jesus and is puzzled — some say Jesus is John the Baptist raised from the dead, others Elijah, others one of the prophets.
  He is also the one who ordered the beheading of John the Baptist (Lk 9:9; Mk 6:17–29). Later, during the Passion, Pilate sends Jesus to this same Herod (Lk 23:7–12).

So in this passage, it is the son (Herod Antipas), not the father.

 

Practical Reflection Questions for Today

Luke presents Herod as curious but conflicted. He hears about Jesus, is intrigued, but does not truly seek Him with an open heart. That tension offers us some very practical points for reflection:

1. Curiosity vs. Commitment

• Am I simply curious about Jesus, or am I committed to following Him?
• Where in my life do I settle for “hearing about” Jesus rather than truly encountering Him?

2. Fear of Losing Control

• Like Herod, do I resist Jesus because following Him might disrupt my comfort, power, or plans?
• What areas of my life am I afraid to surrender to God’s authority?

3. Voices That Confuse

• Herod hears conflicting reports about Jesus. In today’s world, what “voices” or influences confuse or distract me from the truth of who Jesus is?
• How can I better listen to the voice of Christ in Scripture, prayer, and the Church?

4. Responding to God’s Messengers

• Herod silenced John the Baptist rather than heed his call to conversion. How do I react when challenged by God’s Word or by someone who calls me to change?
• Do I silence or ignore those calls, or do I allow them to lead me deeper into faith?

5. Seeking Jesus

• Herod “kept trying to see Jesus” (Lk 9:9). What steps am I taking this week to truly see Jesus — in prayer, in the Eucharist, in the poor, in my neighbour?

.

Herod Antipas remains stuck in puzzlement. In Luke 23, when Jesus is brought to him, he is still curious but shallow. He wanted to see a sign or miracle, almost like entertainment, but when Jesus remains silent, Herod mocks Him and sends Him away.

It’s striking:

• He had heard John the Baptist and was perplexed.
• He had heard about Jesus and was perplexed.
• He even met Jesus face to face during the Passion… and still walked away unchanged.

His story is a kind of warning. Curiosity without openness, puzzlement without humility, never leads to faith. He had every opportunity, but pride and fear kept him from seeing the truth.

 

A gentle reflection point for us today might be:

• Where in my own life am I “stuck in puzzlement” — circling around questions about Jesus but not yet letting Him transform me?
• Am I content to “hear about” Him, or am I willing to let Him speak into the deepest part of my life, even if it unsettles me?

 Herod was “anxious to see Jesus,” but for the wrong reasons: he wanted spectacle, signs, something to satisfy his curiosity or ease his conscience.

Reflection: When am I anxious to see Jesus, and why?

• In longing — Do I feel an ache or impatience to see Him in prayer, the Eucharist, or Scripture because my soul knows only He can satisfy?
• In desperation — Do I turn anxiously to Him in times of fear, pain, or uncertainty, and why? Is my “anxiety” rooted in trust or in trying to control outcomes?
• In joy — When I anticipate His presence (in worship, in serving others, in quiet prayer), is it like waiting for a dear friend at the door?
• In distraction — Sometimes my “anxiety” is more like restlessness — I want Him to do something spectacular rather than simply be with me.

 

A practical prayer question could be:

• “Lord, help me notice when I am anxious to see You. Purify that longing so that it leads me to deeper trust and love, not just curiosity or self-comfort.”

Why did others think Jesus was someone else?

In Luke 9:7–8, the crowd is saying Jesus might be John the Baptist risen from the dead, Elijah, or one of the ancient prophets come back to life. A few reasons help explain this:

1. Prophetic Patterns in Israel’s History

• People saw Jesus doing mighty works (healing, raising the dead, feeding multitudes) and preaching with authority. That reminded them of the prophets who had gone before — Elijah, Elisha, Moses.
• They looked to the past to interpret the present, because that was their frame of reference. They didn’t yet see Him as the new thing God was doing.

2. Messianic Expectations

• Many Jews expected Elijah to return before the Messiah (cf. Malachi 4:5). Seeing Jesus’ power, some assumed He must be Elijah heralding the end times.
• Others thought perhaps God had raised up an ancient prophet as a sign that His promises were near.

3. The Impact of John the Baptist

• John had stirred the whole nation with his preaching and call to repentance. When Jesus came preaching in a similar fiery way and performing miracles, it was natural for some to connect Him with John — or even think He was John returned from the grave.

4. Partial Understanding

• People recognized there was something of God in Jesus, but they didn’t yet grasp His full identity. Their guesses show both respect and confusion — they sensed holiness but couldn’t yet see the Son of God clearly.

Reflection for Today

Sometimes we too can “mistake” Jesus — not in His identity, but in what we expect of Him.

• Do I expect Him mainly to be a miracle worker, problem solver, or teacher of morals?
• Or do I see Him as Lord, Savior, and Friend — someone who calls me to relationship, not just admiration from afar?

Here’s a set of reflection questions that tie together both parts of Luke 9:7–9 (the crowd’s puzzlement) and Luke 9:18–20 (Jesus’ direct question).

 

Reflection Questions: Who do you say that I am?

1. The Crowd’s Perceptions

• Where do I see myself in the crowd — hearing about Jesus but not fully recognizing Him?
• Do I sometimes reduce Jesus to just a prophet, healer, or teacher rather than Lord and Savior?
• Whose “voices” influence the way I see Jesus today (media, culture, friends, even my own fears)?

2. Herod’s Puzzlement

• Like Herod, am I sometimes curious about Jesus but reluctant to let Him change my life?
• Where am I still “puzzled” by Him — struggling to understand His ways or His silence?
• Do I seek Jesus out of entertainment, curiosity, or convenience… or out of love and faith?

3. Peter’s Confession

• When Jesus asks me personally, “Who do you say I am?”, what would my honest answer be today?
• How has my understanding of Jesus grown or changed over the years?
• Do I truly let Him be the Christ (the Anointed One) in my daily life — guiding decisions, shaping relationships, healing wounds?

4. Bringing it Home

• Where am I anxious to see Jesus this week, and why?
• How can I move from just “hearing about” Him to truly encountering Him in prayer, Scripture, Eucharist, or service to others?
• What is one small way I can live differently today because I believe He is more than a prophet — He is Lord?

 

1. Recognition

The crowd recognizes something extraordinary in Jesus — they don’t dismiss Him — but their recognition is partial and misplaced (John the Baptist, Elijah, a prophet). It’s like seeing the outline of the truth but not the whole picture.

• Reflection: Where do I recognize Jesus only in part? Do I sometimes see Him as just a helper, comforter, or teacher — but not yet fully as Lord of my life?

 

2. Identity

Jesus’ true identity is gradually revealed: not just another prophet, but the Christ of God. Herod never grasped this. Peter, with grace, begins to name it. But even Peter’s understanding was incomplete until the Cross and Resurrection.

• Reflection: How do I grow in my awareness of who Jesus really is? How is my own identity tied to His — as His disciple, His beloved, His witness?

 

3. Acceptance

Recognizing Jesus’ identity is only the first step. Acceptance means allowing His identity to reshape my own. Herod recognized something but never accepted it. Peter recognized and began to accept — though with stumbling. True discipleship comes in that acceptance, even when it is costly.

• Reflection: What parts of Jesus’ identity am I eager to accept (Healer, Friend, Shepherd)?
• What parts do I resist (Lord, Judge, Suffering Servant)?
• How willing am I to let His identity define who I am?

The Gospel isn’t only about who Jesus is — it’s also about whether we are willing to accept Him for who He is and let that change our identity.

Recognition, identity, and acceptance aren’t only about how we see Jesus — they ripple out into how we see others, and how we allow ourselves to be seen.

 

Recognition of Others

In Luke 9, people mis-recognized Jesus. They saw something holy but couldn’t name Him rightly. In our communities, this happens too: people may fail to see one another’s gifts, or may box someone into an old image instead of recognizing the Spirit’s work in them.

• Question: Do I truly see and recognize the unique gifts in those around me, even if they’re not what I expect?

 

Identity in Community

Jesus’ identity was not defined by the crowd’s opinions — it was rooted in the Father’s love. Likewise, your identity isn’t determined by whether parish members accept or overlook your contributions. Your identity is beloved daughter, called and gifted by God.

• Question: Do I rest my identity more in God’s gaze or in the shifting recognition of people?

 

Acceptance — Giving and Receiving

Sometimes in parish life or at work or even in our own family, we long to be accepted for who we are and for what we offer, but instead meet resistance or indifference. It is painful. Jesus too experienced rejection from His own people. Yet He kept offering Himself.

• Question: How can I live acceptance in two directions — accepting myself as God sees me, and accepting others even when they struggle to see me rightly?

 

• The Gospel challenges us to see who Jesus truly is.
• But it also challenges us to see who others truly are in Him.
• And finally, it invites us to accept ourselves as God sees us — even when others fail to.

 

A Prayer for Recognition, Identity, and Acceptance

Lord Jesus,
You were misrecognized by the crowds,
and even those closest to You stumbled in knowing who You truly are.
Yet You never wavered in Your identity as the Beloved of the Father.

When others overlook my gifts or fail to accept me,
remind me that my worth is not measured by their opinions
but by Your love.

Help me to see myself through Your eyes:
called, chosen, gifted, and deeply loved.
Help me also to see others as You see them,
recognizing their gifts even when it is hard.

When I feel unaccepted, let me rest secure in You.
When I feel unseen, remind me that You notice every detail of my heart.
And when I feel discouraged, lift me to keep offering my gifts anyway —
for Your glory, not for human approval.

Jesus, my identity is in You.
Jesus, my gifts are from You.
Jesus, my acceptance is in You.

Amen.

Come Holy Spirit The Counsellor

 Come Holy Spirit Series.

Come Holy Spirit Series.

Holy Spirit The Counsellor

Names of the Holy Spirit Series – Week 2

“But the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
— John 14:26.

Who Is the Counsellor?

The title “Counsellor” emerges from Jesus’ farewell discourse in John’s Gospel — spoken on the eve of His Passion. He speaks tenderly to the disciples, who are troubled by the thought of His departure. And into that moment of fear and uncertainty, Jesus promises “another Counsellor” (John 14:16), implying that He Himself has been the first.

In Greek, the term is Paraklētos — meaning one who is called alongside to help, to plead, to comfort, to strengthen, or to guide. In Latin, this becomes Consolator, and in English, “Counsellor,” “Comforter,” or “Advocate.”

The Holy Spirit as Counsellor is more than a therapist or advice-giver. He is a divine companion — the very Spirit of Jesus — who remains with us and within us, guiding us through every circumstance of life with divine wisdom.

 

The Spirit Who Walks Beside Us with Wisdom

When Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit, He called Him the Counsellor — the one who would teach, remind, guide, and strengthen. This title in the Greek is Paraklētos, a legal term for one who advocates or defends. But Counsellor goes further than a courtroom image. It speaks to a deeper intimacy — a wise and trustworthy friend who helps us discern God’s will, especially in confusing or emotionally difficult times.

The Holy Spirit does not just drop in occasionally to give advice. He dwells within us — as both guide and companion, helping us see the bigger picture and drawing our attention back to Christ when we are overwhelmed, uncertain, or weary.

And unlike human counsellors, the Spirit knows us more deeply than we know ourselves. He knows our wounds, our gifts, our blind spots, and our unique calling. He works not just at the surface but in the depths of our soul.

A Quiet Voice that Illuminates the Path

The Spirit as Counsellor does not shout or demand. He whispers truth with clarity and conviction — often when we finally become quiet enough to hear. Have you ever experienced a moment of peace that gently settled into your heart after prayer? Or a subtle shift in perspective that brought healing to a long-held hurt? That was the Spirit at work — not pushing, but inviting.

In the stillness of prayer, in the reading of Scripture, and in the wise words of a spiritual friend, the Counsellor moves. His direction is never manipulative. Rather, it is deeply respectful of our freedom, even while always drawing us toward life and truth.

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” — Psalm 119:105.

What Kind of Counselling Does the Holy Spirit Offer?

The Spirit counsels not just through moral instruction or spiritual nudges, but through deep transformation of the heart and mind. His counsel is always rooted in:

1. Truth
   Jesus names the Spirit the “Spirit of Truth” (John 16:13). His counsel is never manipulative, vague, or self-serving. The Holy Spirit unveils truth that sets us free — truth about God, about ourselves, and about the world.
2. Memory
   The Spirit “will remind you of all that I have said to you.” This is more than mental recall. The Spirit brings the words and presence of Jesus to life in the heart of the believer. He helps us live from the memory of grace.
3. Wisdom for the Present
   In discerning decisions, the Spirit counsels us toward what aligns with God’s will, peace, and integrity. Unlike human wisdom, the Spirit’s counsel can see what lies ahead — gently steering us even when we don't understand the full picture.
4. Companionship
   As Counsellor, the Holy Spirit is not distant. He abides with us in silence and struggle, rejoicing and rebuilding. His presence offers the counsel of peace, even before it offers the counsel of answers.

The Counsellor in the Life of the Church

Throughout the centuries, the Church has looked to the Spirit for counsel — in synods, councils, and confessions. The Spirit has been described as the “soul of the Church,” guiding its leaders and saints not only in doctrine but in holiness and compassion.

In the sacraments — especially Confirmation — the Spirit is invoked as Counsellor, bringing the sevenfold gifts of Isaiah 11:2–3: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. Among these, counsel is the gift by which we are led to choose rightly and act courageously.

“When He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth.”
— John 16:13

How Do We Receive His Counsel?

To be counselled by the Spirit means learning the language of stillness and trust. His counsel is subtle — never forced, often gentle, and always in harmony with Scripture and Church teaching.

To receive His counsel:

• Make space for silence after prayer or Scripture.
• Ask for the gift of counsel — it is yours by baptism and confirmation.
• Pay attention to what brings peace or unease.
• Be willing to wait. The Spirit's timing is perfect.

 

Counselling Us Through Life’s Questions

Sometimes we want the Spirit’s counsel for the big decisions: Should I take that job? Should I speak up in this situation? But just as often, the Spirit is ready to counsel us through the daily grind — how we respond to frustration, how we offer compassion, how we resist the temptation to speak harshly.

The Spirit as Counsellor helps us navigate conversations with gentleness, challenges with perseverance, and decisions with a sense of peace rather than panic.

We do not have to have it all figured out. We just need to keep the lines of communication open — to pray, to pause, and to trust that the Spirit is always working, even when answers take time.

Reflection Questions

• Where in your life do you need the Spirit’s counsel right now?
• What area feels confusing, and have you invited the Holy Spirit into it?
• Are you open to hearing His wisdom — even if it comes in unexpected ways?
• In what situations do I most need the Holy Spirit’s counsel right now?
• When have I experienced the Spirit’s guidance before — even subtly?
• Am I open to counsel that corrects me, as well as comforts me?

 

Scriptures to Pray With This Week

• John 14:26 – The Spirit will teach and remind.
• Romans 8:26-27 – The Spirit intercedes for us with groans too deep for words.
• Isaiah 11:2 – The Spirit of wisdom and understanding.
• James 1:5 – Ask for wisdom, and it will be given.

  

A Prayer to the Holy Spirit as Counsellor

Come, Holy Spirit, Counsellor divine.
Speak to my heart with the voice of love and wisdom.
Remind me of all that Jesus taught and did.
Guide me in my decisions and in my silence.
Strengthen my heart when I am tired or discouraged.
Teach me how to counsel others with compassion,
as You continue to counsel me.
Amen.

 

Alternatively you may prefer a shorter version

Come, Holy Spirit, Counsellor and Friend.
Speak into the noise of our lives with your still, small voice.
Counsel us in ways that draw us closer to truth, to peace, and to Jesus. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

Collect Series Twenty Fifth Sunday of Year C

 Collect Series

The Mass: Collect Series Icon.

 

COLLECT

 

The Collect for the 25th Sunday of Year reads as follows:

 

O God, who founded all the commands of Your sacred Law

upon love of You and of our neighbour,

grant that, by keeping Your precepts,

we may merit to attain eternal life. 

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,

who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God for ever and ever.

 

 REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In making this prayer tangible for during the week the following reflection questions emerged:
1.    What is the state of my relationship with God right now?
2.    What is my relationship with my neighbour?
3.    What is my relationship with myself- do I love myself as God loves me as a child of God?
4.    What do I need to do to know the precepts of the Catholic Church to make them my own? Do I know them and can apply them in my life?
5.    How badly do I want to attain eternal life?

 

GOSPEL REFLECTION

Luke 16:1–16

This passage might  puzzle us because at first glance it seems as though Jesus is praising dishonesty. In reality, He is commending the steward’s shrewdness—his ability to act decisively in a crisis—not his dishonesty.

The steward realized he was about to lose everything, and so he acted with urgency to secure his future. Jesus points to this as a lesson: if people can be so resourceful for worldly survival, how much more should disciples be intentional and creative in pursuing the Kingdom of God. We are called to use wisely what has been entrusted to us—our time, talents, and even material wealth—not to cling to them, but to invest them in what truly lasts: relationships of love, justice, and faithfulness.

Jesus then contrasts “the children of this world” with “the children of light.” The former act with determination for temporary gain, while the latter sometimes act half-heartedly toward eternal life. The challenge here is to bring the same energy, planning, and dedication to our spiritual life as we might to our career, finances, or hobbies.

He also reminds us that money and possessions are a test of faithfulness. If we cannot be trustworthy in small things like earthly wealth, how can God entrust us with the true riches of His Kingdom? This is not simply about honesty but about where our loyalty lies: “You cannot serve both God and mammon.”

Finally, verses 14–16 show the Pharisees sneering at Jesus because they loved money. Jesus warns them—and us—that God knows the heart. What people glorify is often meaningless before God. The Kingdom requires single-heartedness: to seek God first, with everything else falling into its rightful place.

This gospel then invites us to consider how we may apply it personally. We may wish to:

Personal Application

• Examine my priorities: Where do I put my best energy—into things that pass away, or into what is eternal?
• Be resourceful for the Kingdom: Use my gifts, creativity, and even my material resources to build up others and draw them toward Christ.
• Choose your master: Money can be a tool, but it is never the goal. Jesus asks for an undivided heart.
• Act decisively: Like the steward, recognize the urgency of life. Eternity is at stake—let us not procrastinate in responding to God’s call.
• Being Faithful: It is in the daily moments and choices we make that we develop our spiritual muscle and build good habits so that we can draw on this fruit of the Holy Spirit when required.   It becomes part of who we are.  It  is in the daily choices of doing the small tasks  well with love for Jesus and our neighbour in our hearts. Teaching our children to do the small tasks well for the right reason of showing love for God and our neighbour is helping them develop their spiritual muscle.  Want to know more about the fruit of faithfulness. You may wish to explore more here in my Come Holy Spirit series.

 

In short: The steward was shrewd in preparing for the future. Jesus invites us to be just as intentional, not for earthly security, but for eternal life with God.