May 7, 2024 - Tue. of 6th Week of Easter
May you continue to be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit Who comes to you in mysterious ways to teach, edify, and strengthen you so that you may proclaim the Gospel to others.
GOD is still moving mightily in our lives if we but open our eyes and see the presence of the Holy Spirit touching our lives. What prevents us from truly being aware of the Lord Jesus’ action in our world is that we only see with our human eyes. The Holy Spirit is empowering us to bring the GOoD News to others by the way we treat them and speak to them. People are coming to know the message of salvation as we share with them our faith. Let us continue to pray that the Holy Spirit will inflame our hearts and the hearts of those whose lives we touch in whatever way we can, so that we can give glory and praise to GOD for the continued divine presence in our lives.
May you continue to be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit Who comes to you in mysterious ways to teach, edify, and strengthen you so that you may proclaim the Gospel to others.
GOD is still moving mightily in our lives if we but open our eyes and see the presence of the Holy Spirit touching our lives. What prevents us from truly being aware of the Lord Jesus’ action in our world is that we only see with our human eyes. The Holy Spirit is empowering us to bring the GOoD News to others by the way we treat them and speak to them. People are coming to know the message of salvation as we share with them our faith. Let us continue to pray that the Holy Spirit will inflame our hearts and the hearts of those whose lives we touch in whatever way we can, so that we can give glory and praise to GOD for the continued divine presence in our lives.
Readings can be obtained from: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050724
Saint Rose Venerini: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-rose-venerini
Readings: Acts 16: 22-34; Psalm 138: 1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8; John 16: 5-11
GOD acts in mysterious ways. In the First Reading, GOD sets St. Paul and his companions free from their incarceration by means of an earthquake. In the Gospel, Jesus speaks about His going back to His Abba-Father so that He can send the Advocate (Paraclete). The early followers of Jesus must have been constantly amazed at the workings of GOD.
After St. Paul and his traveling mates are arrested and beaten, they are chained up inside the most protected jail cells (maximum security) in Philippi (in modern Greece). Even in their confinement, they sing praise to GOD. GOD allows an earthquake to shake the jail, opening the jail gates, and loosening the chains and stakes holding the prisoners. GOD also uses the
whole experience to bring salus (healing, safety, salvation) not only to Paul and his ministerial companions, but also to the jailer and the family of the jailer. [In the summer of 2018, I was able to go to Philippi and see one of the possible sites of the imprisonment of St. Paul.]
The psalm is a hymn of praise to GOD for the way GOD responds to the cries of those who trust in GOD. It is the right hand of GOD that brings salus to those who call upon GOD’s name.
In the Gospel, as Jesus continues His Last Supper Discourse, He prepares His disciples for His going away. He informs them that it is necessary for Him to leave, so that He can send the Holy Spirit. The disciples must be quite confused by all the things that have been happening during these last few days and what will happen over the next few days. Jesus has been welcomed into the city of Jerusalem as the Messianic hero; He has washed their feet and given them an example of how the leader is to be the servant. His words to them about having to die are quite upsetting, but not as upsetting as what will happen during the next day when He will be arrested, tried, mistreated, crucified, and will ultimately die on the cross. Yet in all of this, Jesus promises to send them the Paraclete (the Advocate – the Holy Spirit) Who will strengthen them, give them knowledge and understanding, and guide them in what they will do to continue the mission and ministry of Jesus.
As we read today’s readings, we see that living as a follower of Jesus during the early years of the fledgling Church is truly amazing. GOD works marvelous deeds to reveal the divine love to those whom GOD is calling to further the Gospel message. I often wonder how I would have responded to all the happenings if I had lived at those times. I might have acted like St. Peter, who at times promised Jesus that he is the most faithful disciple, and then denies His Lord three times at the most crucial time in Jesus’ human life. I might have been like St. Paul, working against the spread of the GOD’s Reign, only to later change my direction and start to work for furthering of Gospel message.
I was once asked, “why don’t we see events as ostentatious as what happened in the first century of Christianity?” Maybe it is because we are not looking with the eyes of faith. Maybe it is because we have not asked for the further outpouring of the Holy Spirit which/Who has been promised not only to the early believers but also to us. GOD is still willing to work marvelous deeds. All we need do is open our eyes and expect to see the great deeds that GOD is doing. The medical profession heals people in ways which were undreamed of just a couple generations ago. They “created” a vaccine to the Covid19 virus in record time. Mass communication has made it possible for us to know and respond to world crisis (such as the pandemic and poverty and the War in Ukraine and the Middle East) and natural disasters in record time and visually see each other via social media. These are miraculous signs of GOD’s hand at work. GOD is working through people during these troubling times of the world in which we live, but we have to look and see the Holy Spirit’s prompting in the actions of those who are trying to help and serve others.
As I look back on my life, I can see GOD’s presence in the events that have happened. GOD has sent the Holy Spirit to me at key moments in my life, to inspire me and direct me. It is true, that like St. Peter, I have fallen into sin and failed to live up to the promises I had boldly made. Yet, GOD has seen me through and allowed GOoD to happen in spite of my sinful ways. GOD has placed me at certain times and places in my life that I might share the GOoD News with others who may not have heard the Gospel message unless I had been there to share it. Again, it is not my doing, it is GOD’s doing. It is when I reflect on the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life that I begin to see how GOD is still working marvelous deeds. The Holy Spirit is still active in the lives of believers today. The Paraclete is still strengthening those who are weak. The Advocate is still enlightening the minds of believers who need to profess their faith in the Lord Jesus.
The challenge before me (and maybe before you also) is to continue to pray for the further outpouring of the Holy Spirit in my life (and your life). We need to ask that our eyes of faith be open, our minds be made receptive, our wills be directed to GOD’s action. The more we are aware of GOD’s Spirit with us, the greater GOD’s deeds will be manifested and the more we will be able to praise GOD. It is then that we will be able to pray with the psalmist today: “When I called, You answered me; You built up strength within me. Your right hand saves me. The LORD will complete what the LORD has done for me; your kindness, O LORD, endures forever.”
Blessed are You, LORD GOD, ever revealing Yourself to us. Through Your GOoDness and the words of Your Son, You have promised that You would send Your Holy Spirit upon us to strengthen, edify, give wisdom and understanding to us. We have not always taken that promise to heart. We have limited the influence of Your Holy Spirit by not fully responding to the gifts that have been offered to us. For our failures to respond to Your gift of the Holy Spirit, we ask for Your forgiveness and pardon. Continue to make us open to the working of Your Holy Spirit in our lives. Inflame the fire of Your love within us. Fill us with wisdom, understanding, right judgment, and GOoD counsel so that we may serve those whom You have placed in our paths. And may we give You all the glory and praise for Your continued acting in our lives with marvelous deeds. As always, we make this prayer in the name of Jesus, Your Son, our Master-Teacher and Savior, Who has promised us the Holy Spirit and Who is faithful to His promises. It is He Who is living and reigning with You and the Holy Spirit, our one and only GOD, for ever and ever. Amen. Alleluia!
Song of the Day: Holy Spirit, Rain Down by Hillsong: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-SI_HRWooA
Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idQ1n3cdgfo
Video of the Day: Life of St. Rose Venerini: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZzh1tXazEo
© rjk, 12-06-22
Saint Rose Venerini: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-rose-venerini
Readings: Acts 16: 22-34; Psalm 138: 1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8; John 16: 5-11
GOD acts in mysterious ways. In the First Reading, GOD sets St. Paul and his companions free from their incarceration by means of an earthquake. In the Gospel, Jesus speaks about His going back to His Abba-Father so that He can send the Advocate (Paraclete). The early followers of Jesus must have been constantly amazed at the workings of GOD.
After St. Paul and his traveling mates are arrested and beaten, they are chained up inside the most protected jail cells (maximum security) in Philippi (in modern Greece). Even in their confinement, they sing praise to GOD. GOD allows an earthquake to shake the jail, opening the jail gates, and loosening the chains and stakes holding the prisoners. GOD also uses the
whole experience to bring salus (healing, safety, salvation) not only to Paul and his ministerial companions, but also to the jailer and the family of the jailer. [In the summer of 2018, I was able to go to Philippi and see one of the possible sites of the imprisonment of St. Paul.]
The psalm is a hymn of praise to GOD for the way GOD responds to the cries of those who trust in GOD. It is the right hand of GOD that brings salus to those who call upon GOD’s name.
In the Gospel, as Jesus continues His Last Supper Discourse, He prepares His disciples for His going away. He informs them that it is necessary for Him to leave, so that He can send the Holy Spirit. The disciples must be quite confused by all the things that have been happening during these last few days and what will happen over the next few days. Jesus has been welcomed into the city of Jerusalem as the Messianic hero; He has washed their feet and given them an example of how the leader is to be the servant. His words to them about having to die are quite upsetting, but not as upsetting as what will happen during the next day when He will be arrested, tried, mistreated, crucified, and will ultimately die on the cross. Yet in all of this, Jesus promises to send them the Paraclete (the Advocate – the Holy Spirit) Who will strengthen them, give them knowledge and understanding, and guide them in what they will do to continue the mission and ministry of Jesus.
As we read today’s readings, we see that living as a follower of Jesus during the early years of the fledgling Church is truly amazing. GOD works marvelous deeds to reveal the divine love to those whom GOD is calling to further the Gospel message. I often wonder how I would have responded to all the happenings if I had lived at those times. I might have acted like St. Peter, who at times promised Jesus that he is the most faithful disciple, and then denies His Lord three times at the most crucial time in Jesus’ human life. I might have been like St. Paul, working against the spread of the GOD’s Reign, only to later change my direction and start to work for furthering of Gospel message.
I was once asked, “why don’t we see events as ostentatious as what happened in the first century of Christianity?” Maybe it is because we are not looking with the eyes of faith. Maybe it is because we have not asked for the further outpouring of the Holy Spirit which/Who has been promised not only to the early believers but also to us. GOD is still willing to work marvelous deeds. All we need do is open our eyes and expect to see the great deeds that GOD is doing. The medical profession heals people in ways which were undreamed of just a couple generations ago. They “created” a vaccine to the Covid19 virus in record time. Mass communication has made it possible for us to know and respond to world crisis (such as the pandemic and poverty and the War in Ukraine and the Middle East) and natural disasters in record time and visually see each other via social media. These are miraculous signs of GOD’s hand at work. GOD is working through people during these troubling times of the world in which we live, but we have to look and see the Holy Spirit’s prompting in the actions of those who are trying to help and serve others.
As I look back on my life, I can see GOD’s presence in the events that have happened. GOD has sent the Holy Spirit to me at key moments in my life, to inspire me and direct me. It is true, that like St. Peter, I have fallen into sin and failed to live up to the promises I had boldly made. Yet, GOD has seen me through and allowed GOoD to happen in spite of my sinful ways. GOD has placed me at certain times and places in my life that I might share the GOoD News with others who may not have heard the Gospel message unless I had been there to share it. Again, it is not my doing, it is GOD’s doing. It is when I reflect on the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life that I begin to see how GOD is still working marvelous deeds. The Holy Spirit is still active in the lives of believers today. The Paraclete is still strengthening those who are weak. The Advocate is still enlightening the minds of believers who need to profess their faith in the Lord Jesus.
The challenge before me (and maybe before you also) is to continue to pray for the further outpouring of the Holy Spirit in my life (and your life). We need to ask that our eyes of faith be open, our minds be made receptive, our wills be directed to GOD’s action. The more we are aware of GOD’s Spirit with us, the greater GOD’s deeds will be manifested and the more we will be able to praise GOD. It is then that we will be able to pray with the psalmist today: “When I called, You answered me; You built up strength within me. Your right hand saves me. The LORD will complete what the LORD has done for me; your kindness, O LORD, endures forever.”
- The personal question/action for today: What blocks or hindrances are present in my life that prevent a fuller outpouring of the Holy Spirit? How can I be more open to the marvelous deeds of GOD that are always around me? For what particular manifestation of GOD’s right hand during the last week can I give thanks to GOD? With whom will I share the GOoD News of that event?
Blessed are You, LORD GOD, ever revealing Yourself to us. Through Your GOoDness and the words of Your Son, You have promised that You would send Your Holy Spirit upon us to strengthen, edify, give wisdom and understanding to us. We have not always taken that promise to heart. We have limited the influence of Your Holy Spirit by not fully responding to the gifts that have been offered to us. For our failures to respond to Your gift of the Holy Spirit, we ask for Your forgiveness and pardon. Continue to make us open to the working of Your Holy Spirit in our lives. Inflame the fire of Your love within us. Fill us with wisdom, understanding, right judgment, and GOoD counsel so that we may serve those whom You have placed in our paths. And may we give You all the glory and praise for Your continued acting in our lives with marvelous deeds. As always, we make this prayer in the name of Jesus, Your Son, our Master-Teacher and Savior, Who has promised us the Holy Spirit and Who is faithful to His promises. It is He Who is living and reigning with You and the Holy Spirit, our one and only GOD, for ever and ever. Amen. Alleluia!
Song of the Day: Holy Spirit, Rain Down by Hillsong: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-SI_HRWooA
Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idQ1n3cdgfo
Video of the Day: Life of St. Rose Venerini: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZzh1tXazEo
© rjk, 12-06-22