At a recent youth event, while I was helping a friend put up a banner, she made a light-hearted comment: ‘You’re so helpful, you must have made a vow of helpfulness!’

It was a joke, of course, especially to a religious sister who has made the evangelical vows of chastity, poverty and obedience. But her words lingered. Lately, the word ‘helpful’ has echoed in my reflections, quietly shaping my vision for ministry: How can I be helpful to someone today?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus promises the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who will guide us into all truth. This promise renews my awareness of the Spirit’s constant presence and gentle leading. It also stirs a deeper call within me: to live my baptismal identity as a missionary disciple through a kind of ‘vow of helpfulness’ – a commitment to serve with love, humility, and attentiveness.

As the Dalai Lama once said, ‘Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.’

The Holy Spirit, our true Helper, empowers us to serve, not by our own strength, but through divine grace. This is the call of being fully human: to live as beloved children of God, formed in the image of Christ.

Loving and Triune God, deepen in us the awareness of Your presence and the quiet movement of Your Spirit. In the power of the true Helper – the Holy Spirit, may we live out the vow of helpfulness in our world as Your faithful witnesses. Amen.

By Sr. Theresa Maria Dao SPC.