Since you have been brought back to true life with Christ,
you must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is,
sitting at God’s right hand. COL 3:1
My Soul's Beloved,
The Apostles including St. Paul and all the early disciples who preached and taught the Good News of salvation were filled with the Holy Spirit. They were familiar with Sacred Scripture as well as all the prophecies and they were aware that each of these prophecies were fulfilled perfectly in You - the One that the Father sent into the world to redeem by the power of Your Blood.
The impact of the Way is clear for many Jews who were saved through faith in You were now preaching and teaching the Good News and making new converts to the faith. Paul found one such a group of neophytes in Ephesus who when questioned about their faith in You and whether they had received the Holy Spirit, revealed that they had never even heard of Him. Further inquiry revealed that they had been baptized with the baptism of John. Paul explained:
‘John’s baptism’ said Paul ‘was a baptism of repentance; but he insisted that the people should believe in the one who was to come after him – in other words, Jesus.’
Paul then baptized them in Your Name, Beloved, and the moment he laid his hands on them the Holy Spirit came down on them with power and they began to speak in tongues and to prophecy. My Lord and My God, we need the Holy Spirit if we are to become saints, if we are to receive the graces that are necessary to have the courage to live a life of faith, overcome our sinful desires and inclinations, crucify the flesh, and seek in all things to say always and everywhere like Mother Mary, 'Behold I am the servant of the Lord, may it be done to me according to Your will.' Or when suffering crushes us to pray as You did in the Garden of Gethsemane, 'Father if it be possible, let this chalice pass by Me, yet not as I will but as You will.'
Only when we fully embrace Your will in all things, My Lord, will we dwell in perfect peace, the peace that You came to give. Filled with the Holy Spirit we will be unafraid of those who have the power to kill the body but can do nothing else beyond. Abiding in the Holy Spirit we will fear God alone who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
PSALM 67(68):2-7 ©
Let God arise, let his foes be scattered.
Let those who hate him flee before him.
As smoke is blown away so will they be blown away;
like wax that melts before the fire,
so the wicked shall perish at the presence of God.
But the just shall rejoice at the presence of God,
they shall exult and dance for joy.
O sing to the Lord, make music to his name;
rejoice in the Lord, exult at his presence.
Father of the orphan, defender of the widow,
such is God in his holy place.
God gives the lonely a home to live in;
he leads the prisoners forth into freedom.
Kingdoms of the earth, sing to God.
JOHN 16:29-33 ©
But take courage; I have conquered the world!
JOHN 16:29-33 ©
But take courage; I have conquered the world!
My Soul's Beloved,
I am infinitely grateful for so often confirming Your word to me during my quiet time with You in the Gospel of the day, the Sacred Liturgy of the Holy Mass.
Not once, but four times in Baruch chapter 3 You have spoken saying, 'Have courage!' Thank You, Lord.
I do believe Lord that You are the Son of the Living God who came into the world to take by the hand, not angels but each human being, and lead us to the Kingdom of God. You have spoken plainly and we have Your Words handed down faithfully by the Magisterium who keeps in her Treasury of Faith both Sacred Oral Tradition and Sacred Scripture. Holy Mother Church will teach her children without error for this is Your guarantee to her by sending Your Holy Spirit to abide in her in fullness.
Times of persecution are the most fruitful for the scattered children of God who flee those who hate the Truth and carry with them the infinite treasures of the Gospel. They sow the seeds of the Good News everywhere they go and the Church continues to grow. This is the power of the Holy Spirit.
‘Listen; the time will come – in fact it has come already –
when you will be scattered,
each going his own way and leaving me alone.
And yet I am not alone,
because the Father is with me.
I have told you all this
so that you may find peace in me.
In the world you will have trouble,
but be brave: I have conquered the world.’
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