http://www.presentationministries.com/brochures/PentNovena.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, May 11, 2008, Pentecost
Acts 2:1-11, 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13, Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-31, 34, John
20:19-23
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/051108.shtml
THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON UNIFYING
"To each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common
good." —1 Corinthians 12:7
I've seen the gifts of the Holy Spirit used in marvelous ways to unify the
Church — both the charismatic gifts such as tongues, prophecy, and
healing, as well as other spiritual gifts such as faith, knowledge,
administration, and teaching (1 Cor 12:7-10). I've also seen people
angrily leave the Catholic Church and join assemblies which emphasize
certain charismatic spiritual gifts. Moreover, I have seen the Spirit's
gifts used by some in the Church in ways that were self-serving and not
contributing to the unity of the body, as they forgot basic truths about
the gifts of the Spirit, such as:
* The Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts for the common good (1 Cor
12:7). As on the first Pentecost, His gifts always are designed to unify
rather than divide.
* The gifts of the Spirit don't compete with each other, since the
Spirit doesn't contend with Himself. The gifts complement one another, and
are to be used in an orderly rather than divisive way (1 Cor 14:26-33).
* The gifts are not our own (cf 1 Cor 6:19). We cannot use them when
convenient, and stop using them if inconvenient. They were given for us to
bear fruit (see Mt 25:14ff).
* Many receive the gifts of the Spirit, but stop using them out of
fear, discouragement, or neglect. We must constantly "stir into flame" the
gifts we were given (2 Tm 1:6).
* Any gift used without love is just noise (1 Cor 13:1ff).
"Receive the Holy Spirit" (Jn 20:22). Live by the Spirit and follow His
lead in using the spiritual gifts you received (Gal 5:25).
Prayer: Father, may we "make every effort to preserve the unity which has
the Spirit as its origin" (Eph 4:3).
Promise: "All were filled with the Holy Spirit." —Acts 2:4
Praise: Praise the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit Who live in us
forevermore!
(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB
eBook edition, and an online donation form at
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright © 2008 Presentation Ministries
To add your e-mail address to this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp
To remove your e-mail address from this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp?mode=r
No comments:
Post a Comment