The Father and the Son have sent us the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete (Jn 14:26). The word Paraclete can be translated "Defense Lawyer." When you have an expert lawyer for your defense, it is not a good strategy to then independently prepare your own defense. You would be tying the hands of your expert legal defense. You might even lose your trial, when otherwise your Defense Lawyer would have triumphed. This is called "stifling the Holy Spirit" (see 1 Thes 5:19).
All you really need to do is listen to the Paraclete and trust completely in Him. At the proper time, Jesus, through the action of the Paraclete, "will give you words and a wisdom which none of your adversaries can take exception to or contradict" (Lk 21:15).
So, do not worry. The Paraclete is handling your case. Simply keep the lines of communication open. Each day, pray, read the Scriptures (Acts 17:11), worship, and if possible, go to Mass. Trust the Holy Spirit more than you would trust the world's most expert legal team. The Holy Spirit is the Master Communicator. Therefore, make a daily appointment to listen to the Spirit, and "hear what God proclaims" (Ps 85:9). "Receive the Holy Spirit" (Jn 20:22).
| PRAYER: | Holy Spirit, instead of preparing my defense beforehand, I will sit and listen each day for Your guidance. Give me "ears open to obedience" (Ps 40:7). |
| PROMISE: | "All nations shall come and worship in Your presence." –Rv 15:4 |
| PRAISE: | Through faithfully reading the Scriptures, Doris was able to allow Jesus to conquer her anxieties. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College