…you are clothed with power from on high. – Luke 24:49
Just before He ascended into heaven, Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would come and His disciples would be “clothed with power from on high.” Can you imagine what this might look like, to be clothed with God’s power? Perhaps being clothed with power looks like a suit of armor. Maybe even a suit of spiritual armor, as St. Paul described:
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil… Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:10-11;14-17).
Imagine being spiritually clothed in this way: gird with a belt of truth, a breastplate of righteousness, a shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, the Gospel of Christ. God clothes you powerfully for your vocation and for discipleship.
Think of a difficult part of your primary vocation (married, single, religious life). Can you imagine being clothed with power through the Holy Spirit who specifically equips you for your vocation? What is one tangible thing you could do to remind yourself that you are empowered by the Holy Spirit to carry out your vocation?
Now call to mind a difficult part of your Christian ministry. What is a way you can remind yourself that the Holy Spirit has sealed you in Confirmation to build up the Kingdom of Christ through your work? Could you draw closer to Christ in prayer during difficult times?
Come Holy Spirit! Clothe me with your gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of God.