How does it work?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus talks about how we need not worry about what to say because the Spirit of our Father that will speak in us. But seriously, how does that work? Well, it works sort of like this: If you are baptized then you have been made an adopted son/daughter of God. Therefore you have been made part of the family. Just like in any family, when you are a child, you listen to mom and dad. You hear them not only speaking to each other but you also hear how they are speaking. As you grow, you begin to hear in your own speech similarities to that of your family; your tone of voice, certain phrases, other mannerisms that when others who know your family would say “Oh my gosh! You sound just like your (mother/father)!” We don’t necessarily intend to sound like them but because that is how we were raised, we begin to be like them.

So it is when we are baptized into the family of God. If we attend mass or have a daily prayer life or read the scriptures, we will begin to think, talk, and act in certain ways. It is the Holy Spirit who guides each of these activities and therefore we begin to be comfortable with the Holy Spirit. We may become so comfortable that one day when someone says a harsh word to us at school, a scripture verse may come into our mind that soothes us. The temptation to quickly follow is: “Oh what a coincidence that he/she said that and all of a sudden that scripture verse came into my head. I am probably going too deep into this religion thing.” On the contrary! The Holy Spirit is teaching you and you are beginning to “hear” His promptings. It is in this way that we become comfortable with Him so that if we find ourselves in front of a group of people giving a talk, we are not nearly as afraid as we would have been in the past. Because just as we will speak with the mannerisms of our earthly family (because we had grown so comfortable with them), so we will speak with the mannerisms of the Holy Spirit (because we had grown comfortable in hearing Him too!).

Do I find myself humming song lyrics or knowing the "perfect soundtrack for my life" throughout the day? Or do I experience "scripture running through my mind" throughout my day?

What would it look like for me to have the mannerisms of the Holy Spirit? What mannerisms does the Spirit possess?

Do I think that instances where scripture comes to mind or when I find the "exact thing I was searching for" a coincidence or a movement of the Spirit?

"I want to speak like You."

"I want to act like You."

​"I want to love like You."

Find a post-it or index card and a pen. Write down a Scripture verse from today or your favorite. Tape this note on your bathroom mirror or your bedside table where you put your phone to charge every night. Memorize this verse. Then write a new verse and repeat!