Yes.
30th Week in Ordinary Time
… so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:29)
“I’ve got gadgets and gizmos aplenty; I’ve got whozits and whatsits galore… . But who cares? No big deal. I want more.” Unlike the Little Mermaid, who sang these words in the popular Disney movie, we don’t live in a magical castle under the sea. But we may have something else in common with her. In spite of our gadgets and gizmos—whether it’s one or two or fifty—we all want something “more.” No gadget will ever get us there, and God knows that. Today’s first reading tells us that the Holy Spirit can help us find the “more” that we want.
Have you ever found yourself at a loss when you try to pray? “What do I say? How do I say it? What if it’s wrong?” It’s a very common experience, one that St. Paul knew well. That’s why he told us that the Spirit is with us to pray for us, interceding on our behalf. Even when we can’t put our desires or needs or longing into words, the Spirit helps us, taking even our groans and sighs and turning them into prayers for that “more” that we’re looking for.
Every day, all day, the Holy Spirit is interceding for you. When you feel lonely or tired, he’s praying for you. When you’re happy and grateful, he is rejoicing with you. When you feel restless, he is calling out to the Father to bring clarity and peace.
Just what is the Spirit praying for all this time? That in every situation, in every movement of our hearts, we will let God form us into the brother or sister of Christ we were meant to be (Romans 8:29). After all, that’s God’s grand plan—that every person from every nation would be a member of his family. Not a distant relative but a son or daughter who is as close to the Father as anyone else. This privilege, this experience of deep communion with God—this is the “more” that we all long for.
Today, when you are around your family or even if you’re just talking to them on the phone or sharing something online, remind yourself that you belong to a heavenly family too. You are destined for heaven!
“Holy Spirit, form me into a brother or sister of Jesus today.”
Psalm 13:4-6; Luke 13:22-30