April 24, 2024 - Wed. of 4th Week of Easter (Opt. Mem. of St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen)
May you continue to be aware of the presence of GOD (Abba-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) in your life.
We are called into an ever- deepening relationship with our GOD Who is Abba, Son, and Holy Spirit. The more we spend time in prayer, the more we can relate to the three persons in our one and only GOD. We may not be able to fully understand how GOD is three in one, but we can develop our relationship in our Trinitarian prayer life. The Trinity is a mystery. This mystery is not something we have to solve and fully explain, it is meant to be lived; it is a relationship that we experience, and of which we become a part. It demands that we trust the Triune GOD.
May you continue to be aware of the presence of GOD (Abba-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) in your life.
We are called into an ever- deepening relationship with our GOD Who is Abba, Son, and Holy Spirit. The more we spend time in prayer, the more we can relate to the three persons in our one and only GOD. We may not be able to fully understand how GOD is three in one, but we can develop our relationship in our Trinitarian prayer life. The Trinity is a mystery. This mystery is not something we have to solve and fully explain, it is meant to be lived; it is a relationship that we experience, and of which we become a part. It demands that we trust the Triune GOD.
Readings can be obtained from: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/042424.cfm
Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen:
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-fidelis-of-sigmaringen
Readings: Acts 12: 24 – 13: 5a; Psalm 67: 2-3, 5, 6 and 8; John 12: 44-50
Today our readings are Trinitarian. In our First Reading, the Holy Spirit is mentioned twice. In the Gospel, Jesus speaks about His Abba-Father and the relationship that exists between them. The psalm echoes with the refrain: “O GOD, let all the nations praise You!”
In the First Reading, the presence of the Holy Spirit is evident. The Church (community of believers in Jesus) at Antioch have many gifted people who are prophets (spokespersons for GOD) and teachers (communicators of GOD’s Truth). As the community worships together and fasts, the Holy Spirit communicates what they should do: they are to set apart Barnabas and Paul for a mission to Asia Minor. Paul and Barnabas head out “sent forth by the Holy Spirit.”
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks about the intimate bond between Himself and His Abba, so much so that those who believe in Jesus are the ones who believe in GOD. Jesus has not come to condemn and punish the world. He has come to bring light and life to the world – to save the world. People will continue in darkness and death, if they do not understand Jesus’ word and mission, and they refuse to accept that He has a deep and close relationship with His Abba-Father, Who happens to be GOD. Those who do not welcome Jesus into their lives will condemn themselves by choosing to live in darkness, death, and ignorance.
My reflection is centered on the Trinity. GOD has created and given life to the world. That is the first blessing GOD gives us. Yet that was not enough for GOD. GOD wanted us to have more than just mortal life. GOD wanted us to have eternal life – a share in the divine life that last forever. GOD kept sending spokespersons (prophets) to announce the divine plan, but people did not, or refused to, understand. GOD became incarnate (“fleshified”) in Jesus. Jesus came as the One sent by the Abba. He came to save the world and to lift us to the higher life. Yet, in His human, earthly body, Jesus did not remain on earth. Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit to continue the divine presence, the divine instruction, the divine empowerment. The Holy Spirit has led, and continues to lead, the believers.
What particularly strikes me in the First Reading is the awareness of the earlier believers in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. It is during their time of worship (liturgy) and fasting that it is obvious what the Holy Spirit wants. They experience the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit in the choosing of Saul (Paul) and Barnabas. The Holy
Spirit is truly alive in their midst. So much so the Paul and Barnabas are “sent forth by the Holy Spirit.”
This is what some people call the “discernment of the Holy Spirit.” People pray for guidance and direction. As they come to a prayerful consensus, they know that the Holy Spirit has given them direction. The question before me as an individual and as a member of local and world-wide community of believers is: Do I seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit by uniting myself with others in prayer (worship) and fasting? The answer I have to give is: “not always.” I sometimes try to “figure” things out on my own. I don’t want to burden others by asking them to pray with, and for, me. I don’t seek the discernment of the Holy Spirit that is present when two or three believers come together in faith.
I also realize that I don’t always pray that the Holy Spirit will guide the Church today as the Spirit did in the times of the Apostles. If ever we need the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the Church, it is now. (Actually, we always need to be attentive to the guiding Holy Spirit.) We should pray that all Church leaders will be open to the direction and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I do not know where the Holy Spirit will lead the Church (the Body of Christ), but I believe if all of us come together as a believing community of faith, the presence of the Holy Spirit will be manifested. The Holy Spirit has seen the Church through dark times in the past, and GOD will
not let us down now. That does not mean there will not be conflict, division, and tension within the household of faith.
There will be differences of opinions, hurt feelings, and maybe even splits as there has been before in the history of GOD’s People, because we are humans who do not fully see and accept GOD’s plan. In the end, however, if we are faithful to the GOD Who is Abba, Son, and Holy Spirit, we will follow the plan of GOD as it is made known to us. After all, Jesus did not come to condemn us or leave us in the dark, but to save us and bring us into the light and life of GOD’s heavenly home.
One example happening a few of years ago in the Catholic Church was the implementation of the GIRM (General Instruction for the Roman Missal). Some people anxiously looked forward to the new translation of the prayers in the Roman Missal; meanwhile, others were upset with the changes. I went to a few workshops on the changes, and I also facilitated other workshops and discussion groups. One of the points that I took from the workshops is that this gives all the people an opportunity for more catechesis on the Liturgy. I believe the Holy Spirit can work, and is working, and will continue to work through the instruction and learning that have taken place as we continue the implementation of the GIRM. Eleven years ago, we had another example of the Holy Spirit moving in the Church by the election of our pope, Francis, who has demonstrated his desire to be the Servant of the Servants of GOD in his papacy. I am not sure if the cardinal electors were fully aware of how Pope Francis would affect the Church, but I believe that the Holy Spirit was aware. Pope Francis has called for “Synodality” that includes not only the hierarchy (cardinals and bishops and priests), but also lay people on the local (diocesan) level, and in the gathering of the world-wide Church to be completed in October 2024.
One more example of the Holy Spirit came to me at Easter when I was “attending” online liturgies during the pandemic shutdown. The celebrants preached their homily saying that they believed that GOD had sent the Holy Spirit to be with us during the pandemic. Did GOD cause the viral disease? No. The homilists all spoke of how the Holy Spirit could be allowing us to grow in a new sense of GOD’s love for all people and our need to focus on what is essential and not on incidental pursuits and lifestyles.
(It has been a few years since I started to add a personal question/action to the reflection that I write. I have invited those who read these reflections to write down this personal question/action and keep a journal of their responses to it. I have also suggested that to help us be accountable, that readers share this with at least one other person. I am curious how many people have done this. Let me know. You can always share it with me.)
Blessed are You, LORD GOD, ever one and also three. Through Your GOoDness, You continue to reveal Your plan to us over the course of human history. We mortals, being limited in our understanding and lacking full wisdom, have not always been open to Your guidance. Yet, You have never abandoned us and You keep trying to show us the fullness of Your plan – eternal life with You Who are Abba, Son, and Holy Spirit. You, in the person of Jesus, came to live among us to reveal the relationship that You wanted to have with us. Although we have accepted Jesus as our Lord, Master-Teacher, and Savior, we have not always grasped the fullness of Your message. You have sent us Yourself in the person of the Holy Spirit, but again, we have not always been open to the Spirit’s guidance. GOD, ever loving and never wishing to condemn, You continue to give us opportunities to grow in Your love. We pray that we, all Your faith-filled people, might come to a greater awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives so that we can work together to build up the community of believers and reach out welcoming hands to non-believers. We ask that You bless the Synodality that is in process, and that calls upon all believers to work together under the guidance of Your Holy Spirit. We pray that those whom You have called to lead us, will look to the wisdom and understanding that come from the Holy Spirit, and they will make decisions that are in full agreement with the Spirit’s prompting. As always, we lift up this prayer in the name of Jesus, Who is present with us, in and through the Holy Spirit, and Who is living and reigning with You, our GOD Whom we call Abba , Son, and the Holy Spirit, our one and only GOD, for ever and ever. Amen. Alleluia!
Song of the Day: Praise to the Trinity: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbk-job3lns
Holy, Holy, Holy (traditional): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCnRYj3lMlQ
Video of the Day: Fidelis of Sigmaringen (Franciscan Saints):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tP9vKZC7lw
© rjk, 11-29-22
Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen:
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-fidelis-of-sigmaringen
Readings: Acts 12: 24 – 13: 5a; Psalm 67: 2-3, 5, 6 and 8; John 12: 44-50
Today our readings are Trinitarian. In our First Reading, the Holy Spirit is mentioned twice. In the Gospel, Jesus speaks about His Abba-Father and the relationship that exists between them. The psalm echoes with the refrain: “O GOD, let all the nations praise You!”
In the First Reading, the presence of the Holy Spirit is evident. The Church (community of believers in Jesus) at Antioch have many gifted people who are prophets (spokespersons for GOD) and teachers (communicators of GOD’s Truth). As the community worships together and fasts, the Holy Spirit communicates what they should do: they are to set apart Barnabas and Paul for a mission to Asia Minor. Paul and Barnabas head out “sent forth by the Holy Spirit.”
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks about the intimate bond between Himself and His Abba, so much so that those who believe in Jesus are the ones who believe in GOD. Jesus has not come to condemn and punish the world. He has come to bring light and life to the world – to save the world. People will continue in darkness and death, if they do not understand Jesus’ word and mission, and they refuse to accept that He has a deep and close relationship with His Abba-Father, Who happens to be GOD. Those who do not welcome Jesus into their lives will condemn themselves by choosing to live in darkness, death, and ignorance.
My reflection is centered on the Trinity. GOD has created and given life to the world. That is the first blessing GOD gives us. Yet that was not enough for GOD. GOD wanted us to have more than just mortal life. GOD wanted us to have eternal life – a share in the divine life that last forever. GOD kept sending spokespersons (prophets) to announce the divine plan, but people did not, or refused to, understand. GOD became incarnate (“fleshified”) in Jesus. Jesus came as the One sent by the Abba. He came to save the world and to lift us to the higher life. Yet, in His human, earthly body, Jesus did not remain on earth. Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit to continue the divine presence, the divine instruction, the divine empowerment. The Holy Spirit has led, and continues to lead, the believers.
What particularly strikes me in the First Reading is the awareness of the earlier believers in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. It is during their time of worship (liturgy) and fasting that it is obvious what the Holy Spirit wants. They experience the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit in the choosing of Saul (Paul) and Barnabas. The Holy
Spirit is truly alive in their midst. So much so the Paul and Barnabas are “sent forth by the Holy Spirit.”
This is what some people call the “discernment of the Holy Spirit.” People pray for guidance and direction. As they come to a prayerful consensus, they know that the Holy Spirit has given them direction. The question before me as an individual and as a member of local and world-wide community of believers is: Do I seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit by uniting myself with others in prayer (worship) and fasting? The answer I have to give is: “not always.” I sometimes try to “figure” things out on my own. I don’t want to burden others by asking them to pray with, and for, me. I don’t seek the discernment of the Holy Spirit that is present when two or three believers come together in faith.
I also realize that I don’t always pray that the Holy Spirit will guide the Church today as the Spirit did in the times of the Apostles. If ever we need the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the Church, it is now. (Actually, we always need to be attentive to the guiding Holy Spirit.) We should pray that all Church leaders will be open to the direction and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I do not know where the Holy Spirit will lead the Church (the Body of Christ), but I believe if all of us come together as a believing community of faith, the presence of the Holy Spirit will be manifested. The Holy Spirit has seen the Church through dark times in the past, and GOD will
not let us down now. That does not mean there will not be conflict, division, and tension within the household of faith.
There will be differences of opinions, hurt feelings, and maybe even splits as there has been before in the history of GOD’s People, because we are humans who do not fully see and accept GOD’s plan. In the end, however, if we are faithful to the GOD Who is Abba, Son, and Holy Spirit, we will follow the plan of GOD as it is made known to us. After all, Jesus did not come to condemn us or leave us in the dark, but to save us and bring us into the light and life of GOD’s heavenly home.
One example happening a few of years ago in the Catholic Church was the implementation of the GIRM (General Instruction for the Roman Missal). Some people anxiously looked forward to the new translation of the prayers in the Roman Missal; meanwhile, others were upset with the changes. I went to a few workshops on the changes, and I also facilitated other workshops and discussion groups. One of the points that I took from the workshops is that this gives all the people an opportunity for more catechesis on the Liturgy. I believe the Holy Spirit can work, and is working, and will continue to work through the instruction and learning that have taken place as we continue the implementation of the GIRM. Eleven years ago, we had another example of the Holy Spirit moving in the Church by the election of our pope, Francis, who has demonstrated his desire to be the Servant of the Servants of GOD in his papacy. I am not sure if the cardinal electors were fully aware of how Pope Francis would affect the Church, but I believe that the Holy Spirit was aware. Pope Francis has called for “Synodality” that includes not only the hierarchy (cardinals and bishops and priests), but also lay people on the local (diocesan) level, and in the gathering of the world-wide Church to be completed in October 2024.
One more example of the Holy Spirit came to me at Easter when I was “attending” online liturgies during the pandemic shutdown. The celebrants preached their homily saying that they believed that GOD had sent the Holy Spirit to be with us during the pandemic. Did GOD cause the viral disease? No. The homilists all spoke of how the Holy Spirit could be allowing us to grow in a new sense of GOD’s love for all people and our need to focus on what is essential and not on incidental pursuits and lifestyles.
(It has been a few years since I started to add a personal question/action to the reflection that I write. I have invited those who read these reflections to write down this personal question/action and keep a journal of their responses to it. I have also suggested that to help us be accountable, that readers share this with at least one other person. I am curious how many people have done this. Let me know. You can always share it with me.)
- The personal question/action for today: In what area of my life do I need the guidance of the Holy Spirit? What am I going to do about seeking the discernment of the Holy Spirit? With whom am I going to share, and whom am I going to ask to pray with and for me, and for that discernment, and allow me to share with him/her/them?
Blessed are You, LORD GOD, ever one and also three. Through Your GOoDness, You continue to reveal Your plan to us over the course of human history. We mortals, being limited in our understanding and lacking full wisdom, have not always been open to Your guidance. Yet, You have never abandoned us and You keep trying to show us the fullness of Your plan – eternal life with You Who are Abba, Son, and Holy Spirit. You, in the person of Jesus, came to live among us to reveal the relationship that You wanted to have with us. Although we have accepted Jesus as our Lord, Master-Teacher, and Savior, we have not always grasped the fullness of Your message. You have sent us Yourself in the person of the Holy Spirit, but again, we have not always been open to the Spirit’s guidance. GOD, ever loving and never wishing to condemn, You continue to give us opportunities to grow in Your love. We pray that we, all Your faith-filled people, might come to a greater awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives so that we can work together to build up the community of believers and reach out welcoming hands to non-believers. We ask that You bless the Synodality that is in process, and that calls upon all believers to work together under the guidance of Your Holy Spirit. We pray that those whom You have called to lead us, will look to the wisdom and understanding that come from the Holy Spirit, and they will make decisions that are in full agreement with the Spirit’s prompting. As always, we lift up this prayer in the name of Jesus, Who is present with us, in and through the Holy Spirit, and Who is living and reigning with You, our GOD Whom we call Abba , Son, and the Holy Spirit, our one and only GOD, for ever and ever. Amen. Alleluia!
Song of the Day: Praise to the Trinity: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbk-job3lns
Holy, Holy, Holy (traditional): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCnRYj3lMlQ
Video of the Day: Fidelis of Sigmaringen (Franciscan Saints):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tP9vKZC7lw
© rjk, 11-29-22