Acts 16:11-15
Psalm 149:1-6, 9
John 15:26—16:4
View Readings
CALLED TO THE WITNESS STAND
"A time will come when anyone who puts you to death will claim to be serving God!" —John 16:2
The Holy Spirit witnesses for Jesus and calls us to do the same (Jn 15:26-27). This is one of the main reasons why many Christians don’t want the Holy Spirit to be very active in their lives. Although they realize that witnessing is an act of love which will lead people to Christ, they also know that witnessing will result in personally suffering and being persecuted. Jesus’ witnesses will be expelled even from Church and, moreover, may be put to death (see Jn 16:2). In Greek, the word “witness” is “martyr,” someone who physically lays down his life for Jesus and is violently put to death.
We all want life in the Holy Spirit, or we at least want the emptiness of life without the Spirit to be filled. However, we often don’t want the Holy Spirit enough to suffer. The cost of Pentecost is the cross, and not many want to pay such a high price.
Ask the Lord to give you a desire to receive the Holy Spirit that is even greater than the desire to avoid pain. Only love is stronger than our natural desire to avoid pain (see Sg 8:6; Ps 63:4). Look at a picture of Jesus hanging on the cross. Ask for and receive love. Strongly desire the Spirit. Thirst for the Spirit (Jn 7:37). Receive the Spirit. Receive an even greater love. Receive a new Pentecost.
Prayer: Father, may I consider Your love a greater good than life (Ps 63:4).
Promise: "She already reverenced God, and the Lord opened her heart to accept what Paul was saying." —Acts 16:14
Praise: St. Isidore, a peasant farmer, lived in outstanding holiness and humility. His entire life was a constant prayer, whether at work in the fields or at home (see Lk 18:1).
(To help you to receive a new Pentecost, view, download or order our booklet, Praying for a New Pentecost, 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."
"In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from April 1, 2023 through May 31, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio September 21,, 2022"
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, http://mail.presentationministries.com/interface/list-opt#/out/SOC7QQ4j_rSLmMYhpf34KMQHuHAAyjQ9bhZDeEW_NvC66Hj9c4WoK-iiRTQlG-5uOKyTX0hVAMFJqyFfM9TMIxsRMzNkTgJ7r3_fNhhNojXLVBUHHP8oESoqEzsUoZoD0.
No comments:
Post a Comment