Acts 13:44-52
Psalm 98:1-4
John 14:7-14
View Readings
THE PRESENT OF HIS PRESENCE
"The disciples could not but be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit." —Acts 13:52
If you were persecuted and thrown out of town, what would you be filled with? Bitterness? Hatred? Fear? Or would you be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit?
What if you were seized, led off to court, and lied about by false witnesses? (Acts 6:12-13) What would be the expression on your face? Would you be stoic, livid, or disturbed? "Throughout, Stephen's face seemed like that of an angel" (Acts 6:15).
If several people were grinding their teeth in anger against you and preparing to charge and kill you (Acts 7:54ff), what would have your attention? "Stephen meanwhile, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked to the sky above and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at God's right hand" (Acts 7:55).
If you have been repeatedly treated harshly for years by a bad and unreasonable employer, did you "suffer injustice and endure hardship" through your "awareness of God's presence"? (1 Pt 2:19)
Most of us who read this teaching believe that God is present with us and within us. However, it makes a great difference how deeply we are aware of His presence. If we let the Holy Spirit teach us how to "practice the presence of God," we will have joy, peace, freedom, endurance, and hope. This would be impossible to have without a deep awareness of God's presence. God is always present to us. Will we be present to Him?
Prayer: Father, send the Holy Spirit to cry out in my heart "Abba" (Gal 4:6).
Promise: "I solemnly assure you, the man who has faith in Me will do the works I do, and greater far than these." —Jn 14:12
Praise: When James cannot get to Mass early for Eucharistic adoration, he stays afterward to spend more time with his Beloved.
(For a related teaching on Hearing God, order, view or download our leaflet or order, listen to, or download our CD 45-1 or DVD 45 on our website.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant the "Nihil Obstat" ("Permission to Publish") for "One Bread, One Body."
†Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, September 24, 2020
The "Nihil Obstat" ("Permission to Publish") 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 the "Nihil Obstat" 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/series/obob
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright ©
To add your e-mail address to this list go to https://www.presentationministries.com/subscribe/email
To remove your e-mail address from this list, click here.
No comments:
Post a Comment