Acts 19:1-8, Psalm 68:2-7, John 16:29-33
My Beloved, just believing in You is not enough, receiving You is not enough, You desire that we ask and receive the whole package which is the Triune God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In addition to the Sacrament of Baptism, it is imperative that we also receive the sacrament of Confirmation. Here hands are laid on those who believe in You. We are anointed with the consecrated oil of Christ, the Bishop lays hands on us and invokes the Holy Spirit to come down upon us. We are confirmed in the Holy Spirit and receive the mission which is given to all who follow You. We are exhorted to carry the Good News with us wherever we go. we are called to to witness to it in all we say, do and how we live so it is clear to all who see us that we are Your disciples.
Psalm 68:2-7
My Beloved, Your Holy Spirit is like the wind that blows where it will. He is the Fire of the Love of God that can set hearts on fire and inflame them with love for God.
Send Your Holy Spirit once again my Beloved with power. Bless all those who hunger and yearn for Him. Bring about times of refreshment and renewal in Your Church and in the world. Send Your Holy Spirit with power and let Him bless us with the seven-fold gifts so we can be effective witneses in the world and draw many to You and to the Father through Your most Holy Spirit.
John 16:29-33
My Beloved, how often we, like the disciples, believe we understand even though we have not grasped the full meaning of what You desire to make known to us. We have moments of clarity but are easily distracted by the world and the flesh. Like them, we too say we believe but when it comes to putting our faith into action fear or lethargy may get the better of us. Often we are spiritually flaccid and we let several opportunities pass by each day without witnessing to You and Your love. We go about with blinkers - we plod along totally self involved and self absorbed busy about what pleases us and quite oblivious of our calling. Yet, my Beloved, You are loving, kind, tender, compassionate, unerstanding. You know that often our spirit is willing but our flesh is utterly weak.
Thank You for Your encouragement in verse 33:
I have told you all this, so that in me you may have peace. You will have trouble in the world; but, courage! I have overcome the world.”
Thank You. I love You!
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