We live in a world full of noise. Whether on social media or in an ad, podcast, or conversation, everywhere we turn, someone is telling us what to believe, how to live, or which direction is “right.” It’s no wonder that we can feel spiritually disoriented, asking, “Who can we trust to guide us to the truth?”
In John 16, Jesus gives us an answer. He promises to send the Holy Spirit (the “Spirit of truth”) to continue His work on earth and guide His disciples, including us, to all truth. In fact, St. John Paul II called the Holy Spirit el ArtĂfice de la santidad (“the one who shapes us from within”) and wrote that “The Holy Spirit is the hidden artisan of God’s works, the light and strength of the interior man, the source of holiness and spiritual transformation.” In other words, the Holy Spirit informs our minds and shapes our very being, thereby purifying our desires and molding us into the image of Christ from within.
We can learn how the Holy Spirit works by examining this weekend’s readings. In Proverbs 8, we hear wisdom portrayed as a voice calling out, present at the creation of the world and deeply involved in ordering the universe. This wisdom is a personification of the Holy Spirit, revealing God’s will and helping us to live in harmony with His design. Also, in Romans 5, Paul tells us that the Holy Spirit pours God’s love into our hearts, which is transformative when combined with divine truth.
Still, we must ask ourselves if we are willing to listen deeply, not only to voices we already trust and agree with but also to the quieter voice inside—the Holy Spirit gently calling us to grow. While this is the voice we’d often rather ignore because it can disrupt our comfort, it’s the one that leads us to real freedom. This is especially important to remember through the confusions, trials, and decisions of life and in a time when so many claim to have “the truth.” Again, in the words of St. John Paul II, it is the Holy Spirit that “awakens our longing for what is holy, gives us light and strength to pursue it, and is the inner teacher of the human heart.”
Jesus gives us the Spirit to keep us close to Him and guide us in our daily decisions. In silence, in prayer, in Scripture, and even in the wisdom of others, the Spirit of truth is speaking. Let us, then, open our hearts to this “hidden artisan” and “inner teacher.” May we be still enough—and brave enough—to listen.