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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Monday, April 28, 2008, St. Peter Chanel, St. Louis Mary de Montfort
Acts 16:11-15, Psalm 149, John 15:26—16:4
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/042808.shtml
THE SPIRIT OF MARTYRDOM
"He will bear witness on My behalf. You must bear witness as well." —John
15:26-27
As we near the end of the fifty-day Easter season, we look forward to
receiving the Holy Spirit in a new way this Pentecost. When the Spirit
comes, He will bear witness for Jesus. He will expect us to bear witness
as well (see Acts 1:8).
When we witness for Jesus, we will lead many to Christ and transform the
world. However, not everyone will accept our witness. Some will reject
Jesus and reject us. Some will even persecute us by expelling us from our
churches and putting us to death (Jn 16:2). In doing this, they will claim
to be serving God (Jn 16:2). Thus, the word in Greek for "witness," which
originally meant "someone who testifies in court," came to be the word for
"martyr." So when we receive the Holy Spirit, we become witnesses, that
is, martyrs.
A typical Christian might want to be filled with the Holy Spirit, but does
not want to be a martyr. However, the two go together. The cost of
Pentecost is the cross of martyrdom. We will refuse or stifle the Spirit
(1 Thes 5:19) unless we accept martyrdom. Decide to be a martyr-witness.
Receive the Holy Spirit.
Prayer: Father, may I rejoice in the privilege of suffering for the gospel
(see Phil 1:29; Col 1:24).
Promise: "After she and her household had been baptized, she extended us
an invitation: 'If you are convinced that I believe in the Lord, come and
stay at my house.' She managed to prevail on us." —Acts 16:15
Praise: St. Louis daily lived a life of martyrdom as he chose to teach the
roughest children in Paris and was confronted with great opposition.
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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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