brochure entitled "Seek the Gifts of the Spirit" which outlines 30 gifts
of the Holy Spirit.
http://www.presentationministries.com/brochures/SeekGiftSpirit.asp
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Sunday, April 27, 2008, Sixth Sunday of Easter
Acts 8:5-8, 14-17, 1 Peter 3:15-18, Psalm 66, John 14:15-21
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/042708.shtml
ARSONIST
Peter and John "upon arriving imposed hands on them and they received the
Holy Spirit." —Acts 8:17
Near the end of Jesus' public ministry, Samaritans would not allow Jesus
and his disciples to pass through their town because they were headed
toward Jerusalem. St. John the apostle was indignant. He asked Jesus if he
could call down fire from heaven to destroy those Samaritans (Lk 9:52-54).
Jesus refused him, rebuking John on the spot (Lk 9:55).
Jesus did eventually allow John to call down fire from heaven onto the
Samaritans. The deacon Philip had taken the gospel in power to the
unbelieving Samaritans, and they received the word of God (Acts 8:5ff).
"When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word
of God, they sent Peter and John to them. The two...prayed that they might
receive the Holy Spirit" (Acts 8:15). John laid his hands on those whom he
had earlier wished to incinerate, and the fire of God, the Holy Spirit,
did fall upon them to consume them with the love of God (Acts 8:17). Jesus
gave John his wish, but not in the way John had expected. John had to
undergo a bigger conversion than the Samaritans did.
Are there any individuals or groups of people whom you wouldn't mind
having God remove from earth? Can you imagine if Jesus eventually used you
as His agent to bring these people into new life in the Spirit? If we are
to love our enemies, we need that same gut-wrenching conversion John
experienced. Repent! Forgive and love your enemies (Lk 6:35). "Receive the
Holy Spirit" (Jn 20:22).
Prayer: Jesus, send the fire of the Holy Spirit to burn away the hardness
in my heart. May I lead thousands to receive the Spirit.
Promise: "He who loves Me will be loved by My Father. I too will love him
and reveal Myself to him." —Jn 14:21
Praise: Praise the risen Jesus, Who has given us the Spirit of Love to
even embrace our enemies!
(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my
permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from April
1, 2008 through May 31, 2008
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, October 23, 2007
The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be
free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have
granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or
statements expressed.
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