Daily reflection _ we do not do it alone

WE DO NOT DO IT ALONE
As we struggle with our problems we are not alone; the Helper assists us.
Deacon John Ruscheinsky
St. Paul and his companions made a journey to Macedonia, not on a whim, but because Paul in a vision saw a man of Macedonia who pleaded with him, saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." Paul responded because he was committed to follow the direction of Jesus in today's Gospel. "You must bear witness and testify, because you have been with me from the beginning" (Jn 15:27). The result of his journey was a great success, for he founded a community of faith in Philippi, a leading city in the district of Macedonia. The Church flourished there and the Philippians became favorites among Paul's converts. An example of the hospitality of the people was the woman that was baptized who said, "If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my home" (Acts 16:15)!
We may wonder just what the nature of the vision Paul had was. Who was the man who asked for help? Was it perhaps Jesus Himself in the guise of a Macedonian? We have no way of answering these questions, but something does stands out clearly for us. God can call us in anyway He chooses, but usually He does so in a very human way. Actually there was no need for Jesus to take up the guise of Macedonian since He acts in and through other human beings.
What this means for us is that in responding to others in need, we are responding to Christ Jesus himself. The poor and hungry person is Jesus seeking something to eat. The lonely people who need someone to listen to them is Jesus seeking companionship. The person who is ill and suffering is Jesus in His Passion. The needs of our fellow human beings contain the call of Christ Jesus to us to reach out with a helping hand and loving heart.
Yes! We help out by reaching out, but we do not do it alone. We have a helper!
In John's Gospel, the Holy Spirit often is referred to as the Advocate; other Biblical translations call the Spirit the Paraclete, Counselor, Helper, Comforter or Intercessor. Someone who is appointed by Jesus to help us in our need, help us by our baptism. So when we are sick, the Comforter comes to heal us. When we as individuals gather to celebrate Eucharist, the Intercessor comes to change us into the one Body of Christ. In the sacrament of Penance, we are forgiven through the working of the Counselor. The Spirit of Truth is a gift from our Father enabling us to speak honestly even in time of persecution. So as we struggle with our problems we are not alone; the Helper assists us.
Why do we get all this help? The answer is in today's responsorial psalm: "The Lord takes delight in His people."