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Thursday, May 1, 2008, St. Joseph the Worker
Acts 18:1-8, Psalm 98, John 16:16-20
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/050108.shtml
"PERFECT STORM"
"They opposed him and insulted him." —Acts 18:6
As I write this, a storm has just blown in. There's a strong, driving wind
outside (compare Acts 2:2). Lightning is darting throughout the sky, and
powerful blasts of thunder shake the windows. A tornado siren just
sounded. Fire trucks and police cars drive nearby, blaring their sirens.
It seems like this storm is turning the town upside down.
Tomorrow we begin praying the Pentecost Novena, nine days of fervent
prayer to prepare for receiving a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit on
Pentecost. What storm will result if you receive the Holy Spirit during or
after this Novena? It may mean that:
* you must leave your job, as did St. Joseph (Mt 2:14),
* you start a new job, which becomes the launching pad for a new
ministry (Acts 18:3, 5),
* you pack up and move where the Spirit leads (Acts 18:1),
* you lose your spiritual mentor (Jn 16:17) and have to step out and
take leadership, as did the apostles,
* you will weep, mourn, and grieve (Jn 16:20),
* you step out in bold obedience to the Holy Spirit, and because of
that, your church is instantly divided (Acts 18:4ff),
* talented leaders are converted and raised up (Acts 18:8),
* many hear the word of God and come to believe in Jesus (Acts 18:8),
and
* you "shake" off the spiritual and physical debris left by the storm
(Acts 18:6), and, undaunted, continue bearing fruit in the power of the
Spirit (see Mt 7:24-25).
"Receive the Holy Spirit" (Jn 20:22), and let Him "stir" up your world (2
Tm 1:6).
Prayer: Father, may I be more concerned with being separated from the Holy
Spirit than I am with having to endure upheaval.
Promise: "Your grief will be turned into joy." —Jn 16:20
Praise: St. Joseph accepted Mary as his wife, thus enduring scandal,
rejection, and relocation, and did so joyfully.
(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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