HAVE A HAPPY and safe JULY 4th!
The Fourth of July always seems like a welcome celebration in the middle of summer. It’s a time for fun and picnics and festivals and the fireworks that I love—although this year gatherings are limited. July 4th is an opportunity to remember that the freedoms and privileges that we Americans experience were not easily gained. They were fought for. The price was paid over and over again. Many throughout the last two and a half centuries gave their lives so that our freedoms and amazing rights could be maintained.
July 4th was the date in 1776 when the Declaration of Independence (from England) was signed. Our forefathers saw fit to base our primary governmental beliefs on the biblical beliefs that “all men are created equal and are endowed by their Creator with inalienable rights” to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness…” (from the United States Bill of Rights). We have a very unusual history compared with the rest of world history in that our country was founded by those who sought to base its government on God’s governing principles and truths.
God had a hand in it then and He so much seeks to bless us now by having us seek Him, His ways and His answers for our country. After prayer, we can begin with the important act of voting. Voting is a privilege. It’s a privilege few of us think much about. Yet there are still countries where the freedom to choose representation and leaders is not even considered. It is a blessing to our American life now and to our children to vote in a way that honors the very same God that many pilgrims and pioneers and immigrants came here seeking the freedom to profess and worship and serve.
They took action to leave cultures where they experienced typical troubles that make up everyday life for the majority of others all over the world. That includes religious persecution; rampant disease/ hunger/ drought; life in a third world economic country; continuous fear from oppressive governments; life in a non-representative, totalitarian style government—the list is long.
There are those religious people who follow and read prayers and histories and journals of those who have suffered much in life. Some devoted themselves in a sacrificial way in intercessions and prayers for others. Some were physical martyrs, or underwent great physical pain, as did (St.) Padre Pio. There are those who point to Fatima and other modern prophetic messages. And they pray according to the revelations and intentions given—especially praying the rosary. They are sober about the messages and watch for the fulfillment of their warnings.
But just like the New Testament encourages early believers to “occupy until He comes”, we, too, need to earnestly pray AND take action as God sheds His light on our path and on what’s going on around us. As difficult and even discouraging as some things seem to be, the need for hope is greater now than ever. This is not a time to quit. We need to persist in prayer, in hope, in love, and in God-inspired action. Simply and directly: God is stirring hope to fight the fear. God truly desires to help those who call out to Him.
The Lord speaks His wisdom in Ecclesiastes 3, “There is an appointed time [season&91; for everything. And there is a time for every event [purpose&91; under heaven…” Wisdom and understanding from God Himself are needed to an unusual degree this season. Ecclesiastes chapter 3 mentions sixteen opposites.
Some are: “A time to be born and a time to die… to plant and to uproot… kill and heal… tear down and build up…weep and laugh… mourn and dance…[five more opposites, then&91;… be silent and speak… love and hate… war and peace…” This shows that timing is important to our Omniscient, Loving God. Totally opposite things can be most perfectly right—at the right time (not including moral absolutes). We need God’s prescribed wisdom and God’s moves during these difficult times.
Left to our human wisdom alone (our “lower” thoughts, assumptions, presumptions and judgments that sound “reasonable”—which the enemy caters to vs. God’s “higher thoughts” and “higher ways”), we are especially vulnerable to our own blindnesses. We become more susceptible and gullible to well-reasoned, twisted truths. Even the most intelligent among us can be fooled by the shrewd and sophisticated persuasions of evil speech and convincing words. Others may be drawn more by enticing and attractive (false) promises or emotional heart-tugs that have little or no connection with what’s good or right or true. All of us can easily fail to pay attention to God’s timing and specific answers and wisdom. When we realize that, we can stop and look God’s direction and ask for help. He hears. He cares. He answers.
All this is to say: We need to be aware of the season that we are in. Things are changing more rapidly and in more ways than we realize. We are moving past a more care-free American life, with the “same ol’ same ol’” that many grew accustomed to in years past.
There are those who work diligently in calculated ways to derail every traditional value we can imagine. We have a media war going on against authentic, timeless customs and biblically-prescribed institutions—particularly what is considered “Christian” or faith-based. There is much that is in danger of (or already becoming) extinct in American culture. Only as we pray, speak and stand against some of the amoral and immoral successes will we see productive, life-giving change.
Looking to the future, some religious (and non-religious) people are watching for scriptural and other modern prophetic words (confirming biblical truth) to come true—perhaps sooner and perhaps later than some realize.
But here we are between the two—the quickly passing “past” and the unknown future. What do we do? Many become troubled or confused by all this. It leaves some feeling a bit paralyzed or impotent to some extent. Where do we start? Maybe we can begin with what NOT to do.
We don’t presume negative outcomes nor invite destruction—not in our voting, in our prayers, in our speaking or in our actions. We can face the truth—even when the truth is very ugly and we feel stuck without solutions. When the God of the impossible is hearing our prayers, we don’t assume destructive outcomes. He cares about the affairs of man and the earth. (“The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.” [Ps. 24:1&91;) And we can do our part.
It’s time for hope—much needed hope. In Mark chapter 9 Jesus told a deaf and mute boy’s father, “All things are possible to him who believes”. Like the man in this scripture we can pray, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief”. We can be encouraged as we remember “doubting Thomas”. The Lord did not get angry with him when he failed to believe what the disciples told him: that they had seen the risen Lord. The Lord simply helped him to believe, giving him tangible proof. And He said that those (like us) are blessed “who have not seen and have believed”.
Things don’t have to look or seem highly probable or even possible to fully work out in a good way. God has a part to play. We can continue to pray and thank Him and remember: He is the One who makes a way where there is no way. A Red Sea. A defeat of 450 prophets of Baal by one prophet—Elijah. A David and Goliath. A Savior born in Bethlehem. A Resurrection and Pentecost outpouring. Then… innumerable stories and Godly interventions and miracles since then.
And we, too, can act appropriately. Sometimes even one person or one act tips the scales toward success. That person may be you or me. We can be assured, at least, that we are an important part of the picture that can bring success.
We don’t support unrighteous platforms and foundations.
We don’t base our decisions on the media voices with a biased, anti-Christian agenda. We look past the drama that plays out in the secular and social media as various groups and individuals try to grab attention to one crisis after another. While real injustice and various events need careful attention and help, other publicly staged exhibitions are intended as spectacles that distract from larger truths or the bigger picture. Publicly prescribed answers can then miss the real issues and create mayhem and fear in the process—and send us all looking in the wrong direction for answers and solutions.
What CAN we DO?
First, we CAN and DO pray much. We DO stop long enough to learn to listen to the still, small voice of God that tells us to choose wisely whom we are listening to and whom we are following. Things are not always what they seem—especially now.
We must keep very alert and watchful. Although the lies and slanders continue to abound around us, we have the rare privilege to vote. We must keep choosing what is in line with our Creator’s ways and truth and thoughts that seek to bless us all. When we choose to believe “In God we trust” we become more aware that He seeks to give us every chance at a life well lived. We will also be choosing what is in line with the foresight and foundations chosen by our early American leaders and founders.
I believe with every fiber of my being that there has never been a more important election season. There is more of a wider gap between those who would seek basically biblically just and Godly ways for our country’s future and those who would not. Some say we are at a crossroads more serious than we have seen in a long time—possibly ever, and certainly in any of our lifetimes. We have our children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and future generations to think of.
There are those who have seen “behind the curtain” and looked beneath the surface (through fact-finding research and personal experience) of much that is happening this year—religiously and politically. And they confirm the urgency of the present need. May we carefully choose whom we listen to and what we believe. We will skip many facts and details, but still take a moment to mention some wisdom regarding deeper sources here.
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians in chapter 6 tells us (in the Amplified [further explained&91; version): “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents&91;, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present&91; darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places.” [Eph. 6:12 Amp.&91; This explains part of the need for (and effectiveness of) prayer covering all these needs and issues.
There are literally evil powers that spawn much of what is working behind the scenes, along with their (sometimes deceived, sometimes fully willing, sometimes reprehensible and nefarious) front men and women. (So prayer AND action are both needed.)
Remember the days when the term “non-profit” came with the assumption of life-giving work and noble motives? Not any longer. Numerous destructive strategies and moves are funded by exorbitantly wealthy sources. That includes non-profit organizations created and sustained with very unholy, unhealthy objectives.
What if we think that this concern is overinflated? What if we do nothing? The side-effects of our ignorance or lethargy or inaction are not just limited to the distant future. With what some genuinely informed people have direct awareness of (or have researched to know as destructive facts and detrimental strategies operating right now), the nearest years ahead will be marked by our own deep regret and generally increased trouble and distress on many fronts. America as we have known and loved it will become more and more unrecognizable and disturbing. Some with great knowledge and awareness even believe things have mushroomed (unseen by most of us) to the extent that this is our last workable opportunity to push back greater darkness.
CONCLUSION
Moving forward through summer and into the fall, may we keep these thoughts in mind. May we realize what most of us are blind to: that keeping our freedom and Creator-based rights and blessings will not happen automatically.
There is nothing automatic about it. Our choices make a difference. Our vote makes a difference. Our whole way of life and every vital element of our society will be affected. As imperfect as our system is and even the individuals involved in it are, we can still make a vital choice. We can contribute to basic moral foundations for our country. We can seek God’s kind of life and rule and way on earth. He asked us to pray, “…Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
We may be far from heaven on earth, but God still loves us so completely that He desires to bless us and our choices (Deut. 30:9). He cannot bless us if we choose as leaders those who represent what fundamentally goes against His ways and His truth regarding “life”—not just the right to life, but fundamental issues in life and what scripturally brings “life” and what brings “curses”. Early in the Old Testament, God says, “Choose life”.
“I call heaven and earth to witness… I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the Lord, your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him.” [Deut. 30:19-20b&91;
There is a path that can bring blessings and a path that opens us up to “curses” and evil outcomes. God desires to bless us and still bless America. Are there things and people that have continually and resolutely refused God’s ways and determined to remain on a path of destruction? Yes. For sure. But God looks to His true children who continue to turn to Him and seek Him and pray and seek to obey His words (Mark 12:30, 31)—however imperfectly.
2 Chron. 7:14 says, “If My people who are called by My name shall humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
The scriptures speak of several times when God looked to a small number of faithful people—to hear their cries and answer them. God even reduced the numbers in Gideon’s army and had most of them go home—so all could witness God’s power and glory at work. We may have smaller numbers. (The media would have us think so.) But God is not shaken by smaller numbers. We can pray and gain courage and see God make up the difference. And we can “speak the truth in love” [Eph. 4:15&91; to as many as possible and see those numbers increase. Many have just simply been deceived or seduced by falsehoods. Scripture warns of “plausible liars”.
It starts with Him. Our prayers reach the ears of a caring Father. Like any good father, Our Father is real and loving and delights in His children. Let’s do what we can do to delight His heart this season. Let’s be both salt and light. Even a little bit of salt seasons and preserves. And a little light still pushes back the darkness.
May we continue to pray.. and choose… and act… and support what God calls “right”… and vote … and speak the truth… and love God and others…And pray some more—for others who are voting, for leaders who are desiring to follow what is right and true and good, for those who are not, for God’s intervention, for wisdom , for angelic help, for His kingdom come and will be done. Pray with thanks and praise for all God is and all He has done that we have rarely thanked Him for—all His immense goodness and mercy and kindness. And pray in every other way that the true Spirit of God will lead us.
]]>HISTORY, VETERANS AND HUMOR
THE HISTORY
We begin by quoting some history about the origins of the holiday.
"On July 4, 1776, the thirteen colonies claimed their independence from England, an event which eventually led to the formation of the United States. Each year on July 4th, also known as Independence Day, Americans celebrate this historic event.
Conflict between the colonies and England was already a year old when the colonies convened a Continental Congress in Philadelphia in the summer of 1776. In a June 7 session in the Pennsylvania State House (later Independence Hall), Richard Henry Lee of Virginia presented a resolution with the famous words: 'Resolved: That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States'…”
[A&91; Committee of Five was appointed to draft a statement presenting to the world the colonies' case for independence. Members of the Committee included John Adams of Massachusetts, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Robert R. Livingston of New York and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia. The task of drafting the actual document fell on Jefferson...” 1
Some minor revisions were made between July 1st and July 4th. Then late in the afternoon, John Hancock, the President of the Continental Congress, signed what they called the “Declaration of Independence”. And others present did the same.
“Today, the original copy of the Declaration is housed in the National Archives in Washington, D.C.. July 4 has been designated a national holiday to commemorate the day the United States laid down its claim to be a free and independent nation.” 2
CELEBRATING TODAY
Of course, the Fourth of July is well-known for its picnics, outdoor gatherings, parades, grill-outs, family and fireworks. Many of us love to celebrate and enjoy the day and the night.
We just read how our blessed nation began. But that was just the beginning. Many throughout these last two and a half centuries have continued to fight for each of us in this nation—sacrificing their lives, their limbs… losing their comrade/friends… family time and connections… and some, even their mental and emotional health. They have kept those of us at home safe and sound, even as they have gone into harm’s way, while their families waited and missed them at home.
The 4th of July is a good day to remember the sacrifices many have made to keep our country free. It’s a day to thank veterans (and their families, who could also use our encouragement and a helping hand at times) for their contributions to our success and peace and well-being.
Finally, we can remember to continue to help the veterans who came home from the war zone injured, and in need of help and support. The battles they fight still continue—for life, for health and for well-being, while many of the rest of us have gained our country’s peaceful advantages from their offering.
Last, but not least, we can continue our on-going prayer for those who are still assigned to active combat zones—for protection and courage, safety and peace.
And we can persist in praying for those veterans and their caring families dealing with grief, injuries and trauma, for healing and help, encouragement and strength. We salute you! We applaud you! And we hold you in our hearts.
A FOURTH OF JULY POSTSCRIPT
A few years ago, we did a series on Humor, Joy and Happiness. The entire series included some humor and religious jokes. The serious part involved the distinctions concerning the fruit of character (formed in cooperation with the Holy Spirit) called “joy”—even as it was compared and contrasted with “happiness”. Our Almighty God, who created a beautiful and glorious Garden of Eden for the first human beings, showed that He desires our happiness. That’s not always prevalent in our fallen world nor in our life situations. He helps us, then, develop “joy”—even in difficult circumstances. The series included both Christian and Catholic humor from some books we had in our store.
At one point, we mentioned that humor was on the “short list” of what was allowed in church. At that time we said that we would not go into the long list of what was not usually acceptable practices in church, “although that might be fun.
The 4th of July weekend that year was spent dog-sitting and house sitting for my daughter. The modest house in an old neighborhood overlooked downtown Cincinnati and its riverfront area along with northern Kentucky. We had a sweeping view from a perfect distance. My sister (visiting from out-of-town) and myself thoroughly enjoyed the fireworks over the Reds’ stadium. We admired the additional panoramic river view, enjoying the fireworks on both Friday and Saturday evenings. On Sunday morning we went to an old and nearby gothic-style Catholic church, which held their summer services in the air-conditioned basement area that doubled as a reception room for weddings, etc. Mass was celebrated on a small platform that was like an open stage area, against the back wall.
Midway through the mass, at a very quiet time, everyone watched as Father’s adult male server went silently up the stairs from a lower, seated position. He went behind the altar, across the back of the platform in front of the huge wall cross, and turned on a wall switch. The basement ceiling was quite low, and my sister and myself sat in the middle of the room. Immediately, a few feet above our heads and almost close enough to touch, a mirror ball came to life and began spinning, casting light in every direction. It suddenly broke the very solemn mood. (Was this meant to be a glittery finale to the fourth of July weekend? Surely this festive nod to Independence Day must be a mistake!)
Meanwhile, with eyes cast down piously, the dignified server made his return trip . He failed to realize the effects of the light switch as he continued to quietly make the long walk to his lower seat. He was still looking down, completely unaware, as suppressed laughter spread throughout the congregation.
While quietly chuckling to himself, the first assisting (probably a) deacon left the altar beside the priest and traveled to the lower spot where his co-minister had sat down—quite oblivious to it all. The deacon tried (unsuccessfully at first) to convey to the other server what had happened.
At first, he communicated quietly and unobtrusively, with facial expressions and whispers—then repeatedly with hand motions and pointing. Finally ultimate success came when he spoke quite directly, in his face (face-to-very-close-face), what had happened.
Smile was eventually met with smile. Laughter throughout the congregation grew and continued, freed to become louder by the spontaneous smiles of the two ministers.
The stately gentleman who had flipped the switch then got up, with eyes cast down. He made another fervently slow, sauntering trip to the light switch, and turned it off. Dignity was restored. And, thankfully, no one got up to dance.
That summer series was an adventure into some fun and real wisdom as we explored “Humor, Joy and Happiness”—in some enlightening detail. We may do it again. Even our “Smiling Pope”, Pope John Paul I, (who was pope for 33 days in 1978, before St. Pope John Paul II) said that “healthy” humor was helpful in dry times in life.
He also said that he experienced suffering inside, even when there was a smile outside, on his face. He may have known something about joy in the midst of sorrow.
FOOTNOTES
1.https://www.military.com/independence-day/history-of-independence-day.html
2.Ibid.
]]>We honor all fathers and all father figures, husbands and caregivers.
We thank you for your care, your hard work and the protection and guidance that you give to those under your leadership.
In honoring fatherhood, we reprint an article we first published in May, 2016 on St. Joseph.
SAINT JOSEPH:
HONORING HIS MANY ROLES—
TAKE ANOTHER LOOK HONORING ST. JOSEPH
We hear and see, quite often, the honor and attention given to Mary, the Mother of God, and how she was specially chosen by God to be the virgin Mother of our Savior, Jesus Christ. But let’s consider this: As the coming of the Savior was planned before the world began, and God knew and had selected the mother He had in mind, how much priority would God give to the need—and to His desire—to shield the Savior and His mother-- and arrange for their care?
Today we are recognizing the one that God the Father chose and called to a remarkably key role in protecting, providing for, and watching over the Son of God and his mother, Mary—St. Joseph. [Mt 1:20*&91;
Joseph—this “son of David” [Mt 1:20&91;, as Jesus [Mt 1:1-6; Lk 3:23-38&91; [Lk 4:22&91; was also called—humbly carried what could have been a heavy spiritual and earthly burden. Joseph’s life was, in a sense, “turned upside” down—more than once.
First, he wisely chose (or his parents and Mary’s parents chose, depending on who exactly arranged the marriage and how much say he had in the choice) to be betrothed to Mary. One would say in retrospect that it was an amazingly fitting choice, on a human level, between the two of them (or their families) given the depth of integrity and love each of the espoused showed in their individual lives. And, of course, the divine Father had providentially provided for each of them to come together in Nazareth.
THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS
Sometime after their betrothal, Joseph discovered that his engaged bride was pregnant. That information would unsettle many an engaged man, particularly in their strict, Jewish culture. It would become more of an additional emotional, mental, and situational issue with one (like Joseph) who had been restrained and respectful in his treatment of his beloved. He knew that they had not had a sexual union.
Plans and dreams would become shaken… Joseph showed his cherishing and shielding love even before hearing from an angel regarding her situation. He had already decided to protect Mary from a harsher (and more usual) treatment (stoning) of an unfaithful bride (or betrothed woman, who was considered already bound to the marriage commitment) by deciding to quietly divorce her. [Mt 1:19&91;
A JUST AND RIGHTEOUS MAN
We see in God’s word that he is called a “just” man or a “righteous” man. [Mt 1:18&91; Joseph’s life required a high level of faith in God—particularly, early on, regarding what he heard and experienced in his engagement to Mary. To hear from (Mary and from) an angel that his betrothed was still a virgin, but the child was not his, required a most unusual response. His willing and quick decision to give (and live giving) a generous amount of uncommon care for (and glad acceptance of) his male foster child, Jesus—and his wife, Mary— goes beyond what was typical behavior, particularly in his day and time. It was an uncommonly loving and kind, considerate and respectful response by any standards, both then and now.
With gentle concern, Joseph wanted to spare Mary the shame and horror of open judgment and public punishment and execution—that of the customary religious practice of stoning for such an infidelity. Instead, once the angel spoke to him concerning his (virgin) betrothed—that the child was “conceived of the Holy Spirit” and “destined to save his people from their sins”—he immediately obeyed and took Mary into his home. [Mt 1:24&91;
Like Jesus, Joseph was humble of heart, but strong enough to make intensely life-changing decisions to safeguard the (his) family and follow the Father where He led them. He raised Jesus as his own son. The fact that their relationship was clearly seen by others as a strong kinship is confirmed by the scripture that says, “Is this not the carpenter’s son?” [Mt 13:55&91;
Joseph took the humble role of a man serving his family—simply, but not easily— facing continuous dangers and difficulties caring for and tending to his wife and Son, putting whatever (personal ego) ambitions he had aside to truly tend to their needs and their safety. The Servant-King, Jesus, had some prime example in his earthly father, Joseph. It reminds me of the highest value that Jesus put on loving and serving others—humbly, willingly, and with an open heart.
“If I… the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do…” [Jn 13:14-15a&91;
“…I am meek (some translations say ‘gentle’) and humble of heart…” [Mt 11:29&91;.
Gentleness is presented as a mark of a good man in any role—particularly in leadership—in scripture, including several times in the New Testament. The overwhelming need for humility is described countless times throughout the Bible.
LOVE PAYS A PRICE
Whether Joseph was young, or whether he was old (as some historians believe), the role, the travel, and the protections provided would have had to have cost him personally, as a husband and father. He courageously chose safety and protection of Jesus and Mary above his own comfort or security—with all the moves the family made—in notably deferring any typical focus on his “career”, as we would now call it.
He willingly let his own potential life preferences bow to his calling as a husband and father. For example, he let go of any typical plans he might have had for a more securely successful and peaceful “career” path of fulfilling his craft as a carpenter, in one place—preferably, his home town, for instance, where people knew him, and where he could build up a clientele. Shielding the vulnerability of Jesus and Mary became a prime concern—and a true sacrifice.
Joseph continued to follow as the Lord led him in travel after travel to a safer place for them. It took a strong and determined, careful and wise, courageous and God-seeking man to guide and treasure his little family from Nazareth.
It was years before Joseph and Mary would return to the place of their betrothal. From Nazareth Joseph went with his ready-to-give-birth wife to register in Caesar’s census in Bethlehem, where Mary gave birth to their newborn Son. He probably wondered in awe as the shepherds, who came to adore Jesus, told of the brilliance of angels in the sky and their announcement of Jesus’ birth. [Lk 2:15-20&91;
Wise men also came—both to honor Jesus, and to tell their prophetically-led story of a journey seeking this royal baby. They left a brief stopover at the palace of the local King (Herod) to come to the humble dwelling of a newborn king. His birth place was nothing like the palace they had just visited. Jesus had no visible rank nor riches there—surrounded by hay, animals, a stable and two humble, Jewish parents from out-of-town. [Mt2:1-12&91;
Whether the magi were able to share their dream’s warning that they received about Herod (to not return to Herod, but go home by another route) with Joseph or not, Joseph, himself, was warned in a dream of his own. An angel told him to take the family to Egypt, and stay there until Herod’s death [Mt 2:13-15&91;. In this way, the Lord through Joseph protected his family from Herod’s massacre of the Holy Innocents—boys two years old and under— in and around Bethlehem [Mt 2:16-18&91;.
After some time, Joseph again received word in a dream to take the baby and his mother to Israel once again. He was further warned in a dream to avoid settling in Judea (and thereby elude Herod’s son Archelaus) and proceed to Galilee, to the quiet town of Nazareth [Mt 2:19-23&91;.
THE FOSTER FATHER'S EXAMPLE
When Jesus was 12 years old, scripture tells us that he was accidentally left in the temple. Meanwhile, the family and their caravan traveled toward home, believing that he was among them somewhere in the group. When they finally found him, Mary notably commented that Joseph shared the same troubled grieving and care that she had been experiencing. She told Jesus, “…your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety”… [Lk 2:48&91;
This foster father of Jesus—the father Jesus first knew, as Jesus “grew in wisdom and grace” [Lk 2:52&91; in getting to know His own Abba Father—had a listening ear and a ready heart to hear and obey the voice of God. Such a willing and open heart and ear was a good example to Jesus, who would have to hear His Abba Father’s calls and warnings, direction and directives over and over again. Joseph’s willingness to ‘travel on’ in safeguarding Jesus and Mary, without being certain of the path or the outcome, at times, was also pro-active training for Jesus, who would live his traveling public ministry years with “nowhere to rest his head”. [Mt 8:20&91;
Jesus said that the last would be first and the first would be last. [Mt 19:30&91; From the evidence we see in scripture, Joseph spent his life living not for his own personal identity and recognition; not for monetary gain; not for a great work that he could attach his name to… but for the protection and care of Mary and Jesus—the most “targeted” person (by the enemies of God) who has ever lived.
The Savior lived his whole life in danger from the “god of this world” [Jn 12:31; 14:30; 16:11, etc.&91;. Joseph's role as "protector" cannot be underestimated nor adequately described. With only a few instances described in scripture, we really have very little idea of the details of what this entailed. Also, as his earthly father, Joseph would have been at least partly mindful of the need to support and assist the training, calling, and future role Jesus was born to fulfill—whatever he understood that to be, and however limited that understanding was.
HOW MUCH DID JOSEPH AND MARY KNOW?
That brings us to a question (that became the theme to a beautiful song, “Mary, did you know?”): Just how much did he and Mary know (in regard to Jesus as both the Son of God and the promised ‘One and Only’ Savior)? They would have been familiar with the Jewish Old Testament revelation regarding the coming savior.
In Jesus’ hidden life as He was growing up, we have no way of knowing what revealing conversations and revelations passed among the three of them. But, based on all the history of angelic visitations and God’s guidance through the years, we can assume that Joseph knew that his son’s needs in fathering and training went beyond what was typical for his time. He probably would have had at least some awareness that he was called to be and to give significantly more of what other fathers need to give and to be for their sons.
It seems that more is revealed to Mary and Joseph (that is recorded) as parents than to any other parents in scripture regarding an anointed son. Both of them knew the Old Testament through going to the temple—as the gospels reveal—and this, alone, would have given them a heightened awareness of biblical truth. We know from Jesus’ Presentation in the temple that Mary was troubled by prophetic words. We can count numerous times when God’s words to either or both of them are revealed in the gospels. We hear much of Mary’s role and sorrows.
Given all these facts, we know that Joseph’s responsibility to lead and protect these two was truly mammoth. In fulfilling this calling, he blessed and tended the treasure that was his family: his wife and son. Though bible history does not show his presence after the onset of the public ministry of Jesus, the years prior to this were foundational to Jesus’ protection and to His foundational development for His earthly ministry, up until the time when Joseph died.
The last (biblically) recorded event at which Joseph is known to be present was when Jesus showed great wisdom, knowledge and maturity at the age of twelve conversing with the teachers in the temple, as we mentioned before. As a Jewish father, Joseph helped contribute to—and certainly witnessed—the development of that wisdom and understanding in Jesus.
We do not know how much direct revelation, etc., came from Abba Father and the Holy Spirit, directly to Jesus, in those early hidden years. We can observe that, at some time after Jesus was 12, and probably before He was 30 and began his public ministry, Joseph died. We assume this because Joseph is not mentioned in the gospels as being present and alive during Jesus’ public ministry or the years after He was 12 years old.
HONORING HUMBLE SERVANTS; GIVING GOD THE GLORY
Times are moving closer and closer to the time (as scripture foretells) when God will receive all of the glory and every knee will bow. We need to become more in tune with God and seek His way of thinking. Scripture says that His ways are “high above our ways and His thoughts are high above our thoughts”.[Isa 55:9&91; God said to ask for wisdom and He would give it. [James 1:4; 3:13-17&91;
It is fitting that we are recognizing some of the saints who may have lived more “behind the scenes”—supportive, and servant roles— including, of course, St. Therese Lisieux, the Little Flower, and many others, like St. Andre’ Bessette, who happened to have had great devotion to St. Joseph—as did St. Francis and St. (Padre) Pio.
Joseph—the earthly father of Jesus, the husband of Mary, a worker skilled in carpentry, and the leader and protector of the Holy Family on earth—was declared a saint in the latter part of the 15th century by Pope Sixtus IV. Pope Pius IX established the “Holy Patriarch Joseph” as “Patron of the Catholic Church” in 1847.
St. Joseph has two feast days on the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar:
March 19th—Husband of Mary
May 1st—Joseph the Worker (on the International Worker’s Day) Pius XII, 1955
It is a blessing that—of all the saints for this modern age, and with all our “busy-ness” in life, and the many career motivations—we find, in Joseph, one of the saints that merited two feast days (which is rare). One feast day was to celebrate his role as a hard-working, creative and skilled craftsman. And one feast celebrates the depth of the service—love and care, protection and provision—that he gave to his family.
If we are looking for a model of a person who “had it all” (as we term “home and work” blessings today)—and, by the way, had it through hard work, humble service and care—we might take a good look at St. Joseph. He was known (and spoken of by others in scripture) as a carpenter, so both his trade and his work were recognized. Joseph must have known how to weigh priorities, and put His Lord God first, as he lived it out—first through hearing, listening to and obeying God’s directives, and, second, through loving care of his family and serving them well. That made all the difference in the lives of Jesus and Mary. And he remains as one in the "crowd of witnesses" that are watching from heaven.
St. Joseph is Patron of the Universal Church, unborn children, fathers, workers, travelers, family homes, immigrants, and a happy death.
* The footnote on vs. 20 in Matt. Chapter 1 (NAB) says that “angel of the Lord” is “a designation of God in communication with a human being”.
This article is based, in large part, on the blog article written by this author on this internet site on May 3, 2016, entitled, “A NEW LOOK AT ST. JOSEPH".
]]>Feast day: June 13th
(1195-1231 A.D.)
St. Anthony chose the name “Anthony” later in life, after he was received into the Franciscan order. He had witnessed the remains of the first Franciscan martyrs being carried to the Church of Santa Croce in Coimbra, Portugal—while he was spending several years studying at the Augustine abbey—and was inspired by their witness to the Saracens in Morocco.
A life journey of unexpected turns began with that inspiration. But let’s begin at the beginning…
EARLY LIFE
Anthony was born in Lisbon, Portugal of young, wealthy and pious parents. They were able to give him a cathedral education in Lisbon, and so “Ferdinand” (or “Fernando”)—his baptismal name—was equipped at the young age of 15 to go to the Augustine monastery in Coimbra, Portugal. Anthony possessed a good memory and applied himself well to his studies—scripture and theological writings. He ended up joining their congregation —the Canons Regular of St. Augustine. Altogether, Ferdinand (Anthony) was with them for ten years.
To give some background, St. Francis of Assisi had founded the Franciscan order in 1206. A few years later, some of the Franciscan brothers came to Coimbra… and then became missionaries to Morocco. Ferdinand was passionately moved to do the same, after St. Bernard and others were martyred. He was given permission by his Augustine superiors to join the Order of Friars Minor.
As we have mentioned, upon that occasion, Ferdinand took the name “Anthony”. That was the name of the friars’ little hermitage— the simple, humble home (donated by the Canons Regular) where he and the other friars lived. In answer to his fervent request and desire, Anthony was sent to Morocco within the year. The earnestly anticipated missionary work soon became an unexpected adventure. God and His ways can be quite different from our ways and our plans.
At some point in the journey, Anthony became extremely ill and was sick throughout the entire winter. He needed to be sent home to recover, but again, unexpected events intervened. The ship carrying him to Coimbra was forced off-course by a storm which landed him in Sicily. After his recovery, he was sent to Assisi, for a Franciscan general chapter meeting in May, 1221, A.D. Having been so sick, his excellent educational prowess was overlooked—but not for long.
After a quiet period of lowly service at the hermitage near Forli, Italy, Anthony went to an ordination with fellow friars and encountered an opportunity to preach. For whatever reason (a misunderstanding regarding who exactly was going to preach, or the homilist becoming ill), no one present was prepared to give the sermon. It finally fell to Anthony to preach. Although he started in a halting manner, the Holy Spirit began increasing wisdom and releasing clarity regarding the scriptures and the truths that he had so diligently studied earlier. Many were left astounded by his sermon, and word quickly reached the ears of Francis, himself.
Francis then gave Anthony the mission to preach and teach. Anthony’s life and work radically changed from that point on. The “mission work” that he originally desired did not find fruition on the African continent, but God’s plans and God’s Spirit moved in remarkable ways through his preaching. It stirred his heart to be able to win many to—and back to—the Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayer was emphasized by Francis, and saving souls was valued deeply by Anthony, so he never let his commission to teach theology prevent him from preaching the “good news”. Prayer took a primary position, with Anthony being found praying deep into the night. One night, Anthony was seen speaking to the Child, Jesus—conversing with Him and touching Him. Consequently, today we can observe statues of St. Anthony holding the Child Jesus.
Anthony spent years both teaching and preaching. He wrote scholarly works in 1224 and in 1230, but he is remembered by many for his outstanding preaching—frequently taking place outdoors, to accommodate crowds. Evidenced, over and over, were his spirited delivery, his sincere presentation of the truth (even regarding distortions and heresies, successfully converting some dedicated heretics), his Spirit-led gift of prophesy, and the miracles he performed. He was able to reach both the learned and unlearned; the rich and the poor; those in authority and those that were lowly.
LATER YEARS
In his later years, Anthony focused on sermons regarding reconciliation, in making peace and laying aside hatred and unforgiveness. While his primary attention was given to prayer (often “stolen” from sleep in the long night hours) and living out his missionary purpose to preach and save souls, his actions were strong in living all that he believed. In the midst of other priestly duties, he took opportunities to fight tyranny and injustice, even at his own personal risk. Such actions included helping to reform laws regarding debtors in Padua, and helping to free prisoners held by a tyrant in Verona.
A treasured book of Anthony’s has been carefully safeguarded in Bologna by the Franciscans there today. The story behind the book is that it is a book of Psalms that Anthony used when teaching, and it contained many of his personal notes. It was stolen by a novice that was leaving the order, but Anthony prayed that it would be found. It was returned. 1
St. Anthony then became—for centuries—the “go-to” saint for lost items. Even this writer greatly relied on St. Anthony as a child for this very reason. It is a pleasure to know that we can intercede with him for his other heart’s desires, also: saving the lost; moving the hearts “stuck” in unforgiveness; teaching the truth; understanding scripture; and preaching the “good news”.
Anthony died in Padua on June 13, 1231 and saw the Lord (as others saw the smile on Anthony's face) before he died. He was so beloved in that city that the children in the streets were crying and proclaiming that “The saint is dead”. Thirty years after his death, his crypt in Padua was opened and his body was found “returned to dust”, but his tongue was still intact. St. Bonaventure was present, and lifted the tongue, and declared, “O blessed tongue that always praised the Lord, and made others bless Him.” 2
Pope Gregory IX was so impressed by Anthony’s knowledge and presentation of Scripture that he called him “Ark of the Covenant” and proclaimed him “saint” within a year of his death. He is known as a wonder-worker, with innumerable miracles being worked through his intercession. St. Anthony received the title “Doctor of the Church” in 1946.
St. Anthony is the patron saint of oppressed people, lost articles, amputees, animals, elderly people, horses, poor people (and against starvation) shipwrecks, pregnant women (and more).
FOOTNOTES:
We gathered information from several books, pamphlets, and saint sources on St. Anthony, including specific footnotes from:
1 http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=...
2 http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01556a.htm
... among other general sources read over many years.
COMING UP NEXT IS OUR BLOG FOR FATHER'S DAY.
We honor all fathers and all father figures, husbands and care-givers.
We are celebrating the occasion with a special reprint of our blog on ST. JOSEPH. His life and the particular protective care that he gave to both Jesus and Mary is an inspirational story worth some added attention.
]]>BRINGING GOD’S WORD TO LIFE:
PENTECOST CONTINUES
Last Sunday we celebrated Jesus' Ascension into heaven. We heard readings that pointed the way to the Holy Spirit's descent on the disciples who were gathered in Jerusalem in the upper room.
Now we look ahead to Pentecost Sunday, on May31st, 2020, as we present the last part of our series on the Power of Pentecost. We also connect to the following weekend’s Holy Trinity Sunday as we honor the Father and the Son along with the Holy Spirit.
COMING TO THE LIVING WORD OF GOD
As we explored our response to the Holy Spirit in Part III, we spoke about the Holy Spirit’s role in bringing scripture to life with new power.
“The Bible, of course, is a revelation by the Holy Spirit. We need His help to have His words come to life in our own lives, so we need His presence with us (with His faith, hope and love) as we read, discern and apply the written word of God.” 1 Additionally, there are books written on the accumulated and traditional wisdom and references through which the Holy Spirit has spoken.
God speaks to us in so many ways. He can speak mightily—in thunder and lightning—as on Mt. Sinai when He gave the Ten Commandments to His people Israel, and as Revelation mentions several times. In everyday life, the Spirit of God often speaks in a still small voice. That means that we need to be determined to seek His guidance and quiet enough to hear His voice. Thus it was with Elijah, on the mountain, listening for the Lord.
“ After the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing..." [1 Kings 19:12 New American Standard Bible (NASB)&91; "a still, small voice... [RSV&91; 2
We also spoke of going deeper into God’s love and taking Him at His word…
“Even in the spiritual or religious realm, there are many who remain disengaged with their hearts*, while learning—very well—the superficial and expected words and behaviors. Our God—Being Love Himself—is a relationship God. Our God is straightforward, trustworthy and honest. He asks for our love—toward Him and towards one another.” 3
TAKE HIM AT HIS WORD … ASK 4
Jesus said: “If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?" [Luke 11:13&91; The Father desires to give the Holy Spirit (with His gifts, blessings, empowerments, and fruit-in-formation) as we continue to seek Him. 5
In the gospel of John and the gospel of Matthew, we hear Jesus say:
“Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. 24 Until now you have not asked anything in my name; ask and you will receive so that your joy may be complete… 26 On that day you will ask in my name, and I do not tell you that I will ask the Father for you. 27 For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have come to believe that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world. Now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.” [Jn. 16:23-28&91;
Jesus also said, “Ask, and it shall be given to you; Seek, and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asks for a fish? If you, then… know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him.” [Mt 7:7-11&91;
NEW POWER 6
The Holy Spirit, then, comes with His power—as we ask, receive and believe. It’s more like receiving an 'in-house' power-source, only He is the real Person of God, Himself—third Person of the Holy Trinity. We can become more aware of His presence and His availability—particularly as we hear and read about Him in the scriptures and put into prayer and practice what we read and believe.
“Knocking, asking, seeking” can result in a new experience of God's wisdom, strength, inspiration, guidance, encouragement, understanding of scripture… healing, joy, enabling, miracles …like being immersed in the stream of the Holy Spirit’s power.
The last thing that Jesus said to his apostles (after the resurrection) before he was ascended into heaven was in regard to the Holy Spirit. “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses… to the ends of the earth…” (Acts 1:8) 7
MINISTERING WITH GOD’S POWER OR… OUR OWN?
Human nature is such that we can get so, so, so very accustomed to doing things—even, yes, everything—by our own power and strength—that we fail to ask God for the (“easy yoke, light burden” [Mt 11:30&91;) kind of help that He so gladly wants to give. We create our own low ceiling of understanding (when God says in His word to “ask” for wisdom!) and our own ‘low-finite-ceiling’ of power for living and being and DO-ing… doing for and with and through the Lord’s available power.
It is too easy to focus so much on researching and explaining scripture that we 'forget' to follow and obey it. We can 'explain it … away'. Then we miss some of the “fruit that He wants to develop in our lives. We believe and receive His truth into—not only our minds—but our hearts*.
*As we described in more detail in previous parts of this series, the scriptural meaning of the word “heart” is much broader and fuller than our English/American assumed meaning connoting emotions and romance. It involves a mind-heart-soul-spirit connection and includes our desires, motivations, thoughts, affections, preferences, conscience, mind, etc.—our innermost being.
As we believe and seek the presence of the Holy Spirit with [this broad heart concept of&91; our hearts, we find the Holy Spirit acting in our behalf. He helps apply the word of God that we hear or read, and then helps us fulfill it in our lives. What a blessing.
Additionally, when we fail to ‘take Him at His word’, we may even miss being an instrument in some of the harvest that the Lord so dearly desires and has planned.
LEARNING AND INTIMACY
It is good to study. It is good to learn as much about God’s word and Bible days as we can. However, this is not the same as getting to know the One Who is the author and inspiration behind the book(s) of the Bible. Learning and study can genuinely help aspects of our understanding, but it in no way substitutes for getting to know Him, person to Person.
The point here is that we can limit God greatly when we just settle for merely intellectualizing God. This not only makes it easy to minimize our daily, intimate relationship with this very real, 3-Person God. It also makes it easier to fail to believe and trust and ('biblically') “know” Him, and relate from deep within our spirits and souls to these Divine Persons, Three in One. Lastly, merely intellectualizing our search in God’s word keeps us insensitive to that “still small voice” [I Kings 19:12&91;
His love and power enable us to be intimate with Him. We just need to keep our focus, and our hearts seeking Him—above all. (To do the opposite is to let “idols” and idolatry set in.) We risk losing a great deal of wisdom, applied knowledge and literal ‘presence’ of God Himself if we treat scripture more (and focus on it more) as an ancient document ‘for them in their time and place’ rather than for us in our time and place.
Our God is eternal (in and for all time), All-mighty (Almighty) and Creative Creator. (‘Creative’ also in the sense that He has endless answers and solutions to every need, which He always foresees.) He saw, from the beginning of time (although He is ‘timeless’) the needs of all His people for all time. Jesus is also the Living Word [Jn 1:1&91;. The Bible also tells us that God’s word is “sharper than a two-edged sword” [Hebr 4:12&91;. It would seem more than plausible that He is sharp enough to figure out how to speak to us—now—from those words in the Bible, for as long as we need to hear them. He has infused power and meaning into those words. When we add the ‘water’ and the ‘breath’ of the Spirit, they can come to life. Let’s let them.
The last thing we would want to choose is to minimize or nullify the manifestation and experience of all the effects and benefits that the Lord Jesus Christ died to give us. That includes what we would come to receive and know individually, in our personal lives—with all its effects on our relating and ministering to those around us, and on every group, community, and body of believers of which we are a part.
PASSIONATE APPROACH TO GOD’S WORD
We just spoke about reading and studying the Bible—there is so much to hear, read and learn there. Learning involves the mind—of course. But—if we only engage our minds when coming to God’s word, we miss a great deal.
We can be avid readers of the Bible and even study it over time. As many avid readers (of anything) would understand, we can easily recognize this fact: Rarely can we have the author of any book present to us as we read. On the other hand, we can be grateful that the Holy Spirit is both willing and able to do so for those who believe and follow Christ. The One who knows the heart and depth, the intention and purpose, and the fullness of meaning in each word, phrase, line and portion of the word of God… can be actively present to us as we read or hear His word.
That’s a privilege. It is rare that we get to speak to the author of a work. Readers may sometimes find ways to gain access to an author that they really appreciate. For instance, they may follow a favorite on social media, or they may go to a book signing or a lecture by that author, and better understand what they read. But… For God’s people who love His word—this is a privilege that is already and consistently available to us, as we can both speak to and hear from the Holy Spirit.
As we approach scripture, it helps to come with a seeking heart, eager to hear what our One True God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—has to say to us. It helps to come with a heart open to learning more of Who the Father is and what He desires for His children. It helps to come hungry to hear, and willing to obey. It helps to come with a heart glad to get to know Jesus, and open to encounter the more ephemeral—but very real—Person of the Holy Spirit.
It helps to come as eager as a loved one waiting for a letter from a father or a brother or a spouse away at war, fighting for our freedom. We hunger for a word from them, whom we personally long to see.
It helps to remember that God our Father, and God the Savior-Son are still working hard on our behalf—to help provide, to heal, to bless and protect from evil as we endeavor to seek, ask, receive, follow and obey. We have the Holy Spirit, Who IS, in a sense, the primary and very real presence of God available to us on this earth. God the Father… “art in heaven” [Mt 6:9&91;. The Father is continuing to draw sons and daughters to Himself even now. God the Son now “sits at the Father’s right hand”… “ever interceding” for us [Rom 8:34&91;. And the Holy Spirit has been given and continues to be accessible as a loving help.
“ALL”
God asks us to love Him… from the Ten Commandments to the New Testament. Jesus said,
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment…” [Mt. 22:37,38&91;
We need to speak to this from two seemingly opposite (but both true) directions—one very serious, one very gentle.
One necessary approach to this verse is to get extremely serious about what it says. Then, as we realize just how far we are (actually) from embodying the fullness of that verse, we need to look at the extremes of God’s grace. His mercy and help are available to enable us to obey this command to love “with all… all… all…” The point is strongly made to love God first… above all… before all… with all… remembering that this is the “first” and “greatest” “commandment” (not just a ‘nice idea’ or ‘suggestion’).
“All” is a powerful little word. It means the “whole amount”… “every part”…”entirely consumed” 8… Clear enough… From these extreme words, we could get the impression that such a love is so total that we may think it impossible to measure up to this command. But God gives us help…
“Loving God” can become like some kind of mechanical and rote religious behavior. We find out more from I Cor 13, which puts flesh on “love”, and answers the question beautifully, “What is love?” What we usually do not realize is that this kind of love (described in chapter 13) also applies to loving God Himself. But even in loving Him, He gives us help.
So now we get to the “gentle” part, the other important approach to this “greatest” commandment. We repeat a comment from Part III that applies to our understanding here:
“In natural life and living, we human beings grow and mature. We take more and more steps to do what our parents used to do for us—from feeding us, to carrying us, to making choices for us when we couldn’t talk or have the wisdom or power to decide for ourselves. The same is true in our spiritual life...” 9
One wonderful aspect of God’s loving kindness is that He loves as a good, good Father—something not all of us have experienced on a human level. As a good parent, we would not mind ‘filling in the gaps’ for our children—more for the 5 year old than for the 16 year old, and much more for the 14 month old. We don’t expect the newborn to change his own diapers, or the 4 year old to pay the mortgage. We gladly and lovingly cover these things. It wouldn’t occur to us to think, ‘I wish that 7 year old would go out and get a job!’
Likewise, as God’s children (and “Yes”, we still are, even if we are already off of the “milk”…” of the word” and now on “solid food” as Eph 5:13,14 tells us) we can rest in the fact that He does not expect us to ‘have arrived’ from the beginning. (See footnote below. 10) We come to Him seeking, hungering, thirsting to know and to love Him and others. We come honestly, humbly, sincerely, remembering that God is the always Faithful Father. He doesn’t mind taking that role, in fullness of love and mercy, with each one of us. That’s why He so much desired to send the “Helper”, the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is there to work to develop good fruit in us (it’s His job, and His fruit endures) and to enable us to “rest in the Lord”—resting from our own works and, more often than we think of it—resting on His good work that was accomplished on the cross and is continuously made available by grace from His saving act. For it is only His perfect righteousness that gains us entrance into heaven—His saving act (signified by the white wedding garment in the parable of the wedding banquet [Mt 22:1-14&91;).
So, let’s begin--or continue-- to receive all the help that God wants to give. Let us come hungry to hear; willing to obey; eager to receive and get to know God better-- trusting that His word is true.
We can affirm our belief outside of (and even without our full) intellectual understanding or agreement, in the same way that we can expect our children to trust and obey us, at times (and do what we tell them, for the most part), whether they understand or agree completely or not. The Lord will shed light on the wisdom of the scriptures He has given to instruct us—step-by-step as we need it, in any phase of our life --when and as we need to understand.
Seeking to believe, honor and obey scripture—God’s word—has often been found to be a prerequisite to greater understanding. In the meantime, when we do not fully understand, being children who trust the Father, we operate as that child that trusts the Father with the greater knowledge. A loving Father sifts what load of knowledge he lays on his children, according to what he considers loving, timely and wise. We can still believe and obey without full understanding.
God will not fail to give us wisdom, where it is needed for our good, yet still keep to Himself some knowledge not yet good for us to receive.
Let’s invite the Holy Spirit to gently light up the scriptures with understanding, and enlighten our minds-- and, somehow, by grace, lighten our hearts as we hear His words.
Again, we say: Let’s truly seek this third Person of the Blessed Trinity. Let us be willing to let the Divine “wind” blow—the very breath of God— and receive what He has to offer.
CHECK OUT THE ENLIGHTENING POSTSCRIPT BELOW ON
SYMBOLISM, TRADITION AND REALITY. IT TIES INTO THE MESSAGE HERE, AND IS FOUND BELOW THE FOOTNOTES.
This series is based on our blog articles published on the Holy Spirit, Pentecost and Confirmation in previous years, and on the Pentecost series in posted in May of 2018 by Kathy Boh on this blog site at: trinitychurchsupply.com/blog
FOOTNOTES:
(Please note that any part of a scripture quote in this article that is in bold type has been put in bold print by this author.)
1 THE POWER OF PENTECOST: A four-part series, PART III, THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS: HOW SHALL WE RESPOND?, by Kathy Boh, published June 22, 2017, trinitychurchsupply.com/blog
2 Ibid.
3 Ibid.
4 Ibid.
5 CONFIRMATION AND BEYOND: LIFE IN AND WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, posted by Kathy Boh on March 2, 2017,trinitychurchsupply.com/blog
6 THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS: HOW SHALL WE RESPOND? Part III in the series, THE POWER OF PENTECOST, posted by Kathy Boh on May 15, 2018, trinitychurchsupply.com/blog
7 Ibid and CONFIRMATION AND BEYOND...
8 Mirriam-Webster online dictionary
9 CONFIRMATION AND BEYOND...
10 Paul spoke about this in Philippians, very clearly." ...Not that I have become perfect yet: I have not yet won, but I am still running, trying to capture the prize for which Christ Jesus has captured me. I can assure you my brothers, I am far from thinking that I have already won. All I can say is that I forget the past and strain ahead for what is to come; I am racing for the finish, for the prize to which God calls us upwards to receive in Christ Jesus." [Phil. 3:12-14, The Jerusalem Bible&91;
11 THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS: HOW SHALL WE RESPOND? Part III...
12 Ibid.
POSTSCRIPT
SYMBOLISM, TRADITION AND REALITY
When we speak of Pentecost, some Bible scholars have described the event and associated details as “symbolism” and “tradition”. Most other scholars through the ages have taken God’s word (through several New Testament writers) as real, true and actual. We do the same. Jesus spoke often in parables. Similarly, it can be helpful to find patterns and symbols in scripture that enable us to better comprehend the message and even give us some visual pictures to help us understand. But let’s not let any symbols become the main object of comprehension or a substitute for real events and works of God on this earth. We can get so focused on symbols that we can miss the reality of what God has done, or wants to do, as it can apply to our own realities in life as His “followers”.
A word or concept can represent a real thing and symbolize something at the same time. This may seem obvious, but we will give a couple of examples to clarify.
The fact that the number “7” symbolizes “perfection” doesn’t cancel out some factual realities. It is a fact that there are 7 days in our week.
The fact that “water” is a symbol for life does not mean that water is not real. That very real symbol that we call “water” is actually one of the minimal requirements for human (and other living) bodies to survive and live. The fact that water is a religious symbol for “cleansing” does not mean that we do not use it—practically, really—to actually, physically cleanse our bodies, our faces and our dishware. How that is done—the actual ways and means—vary from culture to culture. Hebrew scriptures, for example, specify details for the religious Jewish culture—from which Jesus originated and the Father had chosen and formed as a “people” for His own from ancient times.
The fact that “wind” and “fire” are both general and religious 'symbols' does not negate the reality of their presence at such an important event as Pentecost. We could go on and on with analogies, here. And yes, they can be helpful, vivid word 'pictures' that aid in understanding. They are meant to illuminate—both in symbol and in reality—to draw us closer to the Lord, Himself and to the truth.
For some religious people, it is easy to look at the symbols more than we look at the very real Person(s) of our glorious (generous, humble and patient) Triune God. We too often seek to understand intellectually more than we seek Him to come, to move, to fill us with His holy fire and His unpredictable wind.
All this talk about symbols points to this: Our mind and our hearts are meant to be touched by the symbols, but let us even more be captivated by the reality of the life-giving power and the fiery love of our God.
Wouldn’t it be better to truly seek this third Person of the Blessed Trinity? …To be willing to let the wind blow… let the fire come… without looking for a (figurative) 'box' to put Him in? We may think we can box up the Divine “wind”, the very breath of God. Of course, we cannot. Nor can we totally contain the fire of the Holy Spirit. We forget that the Lord said, “My thoughts are high above your thoughts; my ways high above your ways.” [Isa 55:9&91;. We seek to box—contain—what we do not fully understand. Who can box up the wind? And to put (any kind of) “fire” in a box would be downright dangerous.
The truth be told, we cannot find a box big enough. So instead, over time, we may actually do the opposite. We may find ourselves putting the Holy Spirit in smaller and smaller boxes… so we can feel like we’re in control. We may work hard to make the box as beautiful as we can— even decorate the box with richly appropriate and fitting symbols. Do we feel more comfortable with symbols and boxes than with the unpredictable reality of His presence?
THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT—DO WE WELCOME HIM?
Our eternal, all-powerful and omnipresent God—The Almighty God of all the ages, Who can see the vastness of eternity in a flash—provides all of our needs. He sent the Holy Spirit to be with us always. He has both the power and the vision to make pro[active&91;vision (provision) for His followers. Is it reasonable to believe that He would be unable or unwilling to provide for ALL of His followers throughout the ages to hear and know the truth of His word… along with the power to receive, obey and accomplish it? 11
IN CONTROL AND COMFORTABLE… or THE HOLY SPIRIT COMFORTER?
It is widely recognized that we human beings like to feel comfortable and in control.This fact remains true too often in the religious realm. We can more easily control what we can quantify, or measure, or precisely define. That includes God. When we state this so abruptly and directly, it seems to be ridiculous. How could we try to control the Sovereign God Who is above all things—Who is ever and always eternal? When described this way, it is easier to see that the Creator of our vast and continually expanding universe cannot be contained in our mental/ verbal/ religious/ figurative boxes. But… we still too often prefer them. Then… we realize…then… we wonder …why … the “breath of God/ wind” dies down.
We recall the scripture:
Do not quench (suppress or subdue) the [Holy&91; Spirit [Eph 4:30&91;
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [do not offend or vex or sadden Him&91;, by Whom you were sealed (marked, branded as God’s own, secured) for the day of redemption (of final deliverance through Christ from evil and the consequences of sin). [I Thes 5:19, Amplified&91;
Do we want to fail any of God’s purposes for this world, for His people, for ourselves and for the harvest by choosing to box God in, or take down the sails and just row our own boat? (For more on this analogy, please see the description given in Part 3, near footnote #14.)
Let’s remember, once again:
God is endlessly giving. He cannot help it. He is Love, Itself… Himself. He is so generous, creative and higher in thoughts and ways than we are [Isa. 55:9&91; that the Holy Spirit cannot be contained, predicted, confined… This is sometimes difficult for organizational, self-directed human beings to grasp, receive and understand... or co-operate with. Unfortunately, we sometimes have trouble letting God be God… and not limiting Him to our near-sighted expectations. 12
Instead, again:
Let’s truly seek this third Person of the Blessed Trinity.
Let us be willing to let the Divine “wind” blow—the very breath of God— and receive what He has to offer that we need in so many ways—particularly as we face troubled and confused times..
]]>THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES. HOW DO WE RESPOND?
We began the series with
Part I of this series, THEN CAME PENTECOST: THE PROMISE, THE ROOTS,
AND WHAT HAPPENED.
Part II continued with AN EVENTFUL DAY OR A NEW WAY OF LIFE?
We reviewed Holy Spirit power manifested, effects, repercussions, gifts and fruit. We examined being called, sent, and going beyond human limits.
Now comes Part III: THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS: HOW WILL WE RESPOND?
We explore receiving the Holy Spirit, Confirmation, the Father’s connection, God speaks, the still small voice, how to respond, need for the Holy Spirit, welcoming the Holy Spirit, God’s glory, the Holy Spirit now, the days ahead, and a Pentecost way of life.
Part IV is POSTSCRIPT to PENTECOST: COMING TO THE LIVING WORD OF
GOD
This article presents us with some life-giving perspectives. No one can shed light on a book like the Author, Himself.The Holy Spirit brings scripture to life.
WE COME TO GROW
Many Christians are in liturgical churches whose members are accustomed to partaking in the sacraments—receiving sacraments at various times in life. Some sacraments are more frequently received, such as Holy Communion. Others are limited, as with Baptism, Confirmation, and the Anointing of the Sick.
We receive the Holy Spirit at baptism, the sacrament of initiation. For babies who receive this sacrament, it is the parents who request this sacrament for their child, and who make the initial promises to the Lord in the child’s behalf.
“In natural life and living, we human beings grow and mature. We take more and more steps to do what our parents used to do for us—from feeding us, to carrying us, to making choices for us when we couldn’t talk or have the wisdom or power to decide for ourselves. The same is true in our spiritual life—hopefully, we develop and progress and mature as Christians, rather than lapse and decline.” 1
Often experienced far beyond baptism, as we progress, we come to the sacrament of Confirmation. It matters what our inner intentions and desires are as we receive this sacrament. (See below under "GOING DEEPER" more explanation and clarity.) We can respond openly to it, and expect a deeper walk with and help from God. We can exercise our personal spiritual freedom to make a new and personal connection with our Almighty power Source—the Holy Spirit. In other writings, it has been said that we can receive a gift but not open it—or let a gift sit in a closet—seen but not used. Hopefully, that will not be the case here. We will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit consciously and gladly, and respond and establish an enriched rapport with God, Himself. What a privilege! 2
Like anything else in life, we can receive things on different levels. We can be superficial, going through the motions of choosing and relating or we can more fully engage with life, with others, and with God Himself. In this series, we have been endeavoring to understand what it means to engage with the Holy Spirit—and to appreciate the vitality of that choice.
RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT IN SCRIPTURE
Peter, in his Pentecost address, gave a simple directive to the people regarding both baptism and the Holy Spirit:
“Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” [Acts 2:37-39, NASB, Bible Gateway&91;
The apostles received the Holy Spirit when Jesus breathed on them on the evening of Resurrection Day and said,
“Receive the Holy Spirit” [Jn. 20:22&91;. Jesus had more of the Holy Spirit to give to them. He told them that they would also be “baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
“While meeting with them” [during the 40 days after the Resurrection&91; “he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the ‘promise of the Father’ about which you have heard me speak, for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” [Acts 1: 3-5&91;
So the apostles realized that there was more to receiving the Holy Spirit than they received when Jesus breathed on them. They obeyed Jesus and gathered and waited. God did not disappoint them as the Holy Spirit came upon them in a mighty way, moving Peter to win 3000 souls to Jesus Christ that day. Part 1 of this series and Acts 2:1-13 tell us that story in detail.
GOING DEEPER
Whenever we go deeper into something—particularly when we engage our hearts—it costs us something. But we have a God who cares deeply and Whose Being is Love Itself (Himself). Throughout the Old Testament, and in New Testament writings, God makes it clear that (although He sees everything) He looks at (focuses on) our hearts. So what does that mean?
The scriptural sense of “heart” is not the same as modern culture’s sense of “feelings” or “romantic inclinations”.
When we do a study of the hundreds of scriptures (some say almost 1000 scriptures) that mention the “heart” we see (sometimes in context and continually in original language word meanings) that the scriptural meaning is not the same as our own English, modern language sense of its use. “Heart” in scripture refers to a broader sense of our inner being. It includes—as an important distinction—more than just emotions and “feelings”. When the Bible says that God looks on our hearts, He is looking at the heart/seat of our innermost thoughts, desires, will, motivations, feelings, preferences etc. It includes a soul-spirit connection.
God cannot be fooled. He sees our hearts deeply and clearly. He cannot be deceived or manipulated. Yet we can freely come to Him honestly, weakly, and acknowledging our need for His help—whatever condition our heart is in.
We live in a superficial culture where we learn the ins and outs of social behavior. Some of us do not move beyond the surface or find and give what’s real, from deep within-- from the “biblical” heart. Even in the spiritual or religious realm, there are many who remain disengaged with their hearts, while learning—very well—the superficial, expected words and politically and religiously correct outward behaviors. Our God—Being Love Himself—is a relationship God.
The Trinity, Itself, is the Supreme Love Relationship. That is inscrutable to our finite minds, but a joy to imagine. Our God is straightforward, trustworthy and honest. He asks for our love—toward Him and towards one another.
This giving of our love costs us something. When it comes to a vibrant, effective relationship with God, it costs us a surrender to another power and control in our lives. It starts with yielding to the Almighty, Loving and Merciful God, trusting that this Omnipotent, Omniscient God knows far more than we do, and has the power to exercise mercy with inconceivable degrees of love and perfect wisdom in individual application.
Yes, that’s a strong statement--that happens to be no exaggeration. In fact, this expressed truth only scratches the surface of God’s unlimited goodness and trustworthiness, because our own insight is so limited that we too easily fail to see, understand, accept, grasp or receive this staggering amount of loving kindness. We too often measure God by the (imperfect) people or experiences we have had, or by what (or whom) we have known (in regard to love, trustworthiness, etc.).
TAKE HIM AT HIS WORD
Jesus said: “If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?’ [Luke 11:13&91; The Father desires to give the Holy Spirit (with His gifts, blessings, empowerments, and fruit-in-formation) as we continue to seek Him. 3
In the gospel of John and the gospel of Matthew, we hear Jesus say:
“Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. 24 Until now you have not asked anything in my name; ask and you will receive so that your joy may be complete… 26 On that day you will ask in my name, and I do not tell you that I will ask the Father for you. 27 For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have come to believe that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world. Now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.” [Jn. 16:23-28&91;
Jesus also said, “Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asks for a fish? If you, then… know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him.” [Mt 7:7-11&91;
NEW POWER
The Holy Spirit, then, comes with His power—as we ask, receive and believe. It’s more like receiving an “in-house” power-source, only He is the real Person of God, Himself—third Person of the Holy Trinity. We can become more aware of His presence and His availability—particularly as we hear and read about Him in the scriptures and put into prayer and practice what we read and believe.
“Knocking, asking, seeking” can result in a new experience of God’s wisdom, strength, inspiration, guidance, encouragement, understanding of scripture… healing, joy, enabling, miracles …like being immersed in the stream of the Holy Spirit’s power.
Human beings have, through history, considered “last words” as having very significant meaning and importance. The last thing that Jesus said to his apostles (after the resurrection) before he was ascended into heaven was in regard to the Holy Spirit. “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses… to the ends of the earth…” (Acts 1:8) 4 Have we considered those words as having the weight of importance that Jesus intended?
To follow the Lord in all aspects of living and making our choices in life, we need God’s help. He enables us to come in tune with the many ways that the Holy Spirit can give grace and direct and speak to us as we go about these vital choices of our daily lives. His power is available—so much so that Jesus said that it was better that He left this earth that the Holy Spirit might come. [Jn16:7&91;
God can speak mightily—in thunder and lightning—as on Mt. Sinai when He gave the Ten Commandments to His people Israel… and as Revelation mentions several times. In everyday life, the Spirit of God often speaks in a still small voice. That means that we need to be determined to seek His guidance and quiet enough to hear His voice. Thus it was with Elijah, on the mountain, listening for the Lord.
“After the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing..." [1 Kings 19:12 New American Standard Bible (NASB)&91; "a still, small voice...” [RSV&91;
SLOW DOWN… BE STILL
When we presented this 3 years ago, we wrote the following:
What does it take for most of us to get off the faster-and-faster spinning carousel that we call “life” (as we know it)? What does it take for us to slow down enough … to just ‘be’ for a few moments… to quiet down enough… to hear… to surrender enough… to respond… to the glorious Creator of the universe who continues to humbly serve His creatures with loving provision, direction, help and mercy?
It was the Lord Who said, “Be still [cease striving&91; and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.” [Ps. 46:10&91;
That was before the “Stay at Home” orders we experienced during March, April and into May.. Most of us have complied with those orders. While that was going on, were we able to take the time to slow down and look at our lives in some new ways?
We have heard this message before. The need for this “slow down/ quiet down” time grows greater with every passing year. The distractions, the busy demands, the noise, the social network messages, the media talk (even pop-ups on computers, smart phones and i-pads)… and continuously “urgent” issues (sometimes all but ‘screaming’ at us) grow louder, from increased numbers of sources with every passing day. If we only ‘ride the wave' or ‘go with the flow’ of our culture, or of technology, we will miss the “still, small voice” that makes all the difference. With even the best of intentions to seek what is right, the hurry-scurry of life can rob us of opportunities to actually do so. Too often, we just keep those deeper, higher ways behind a door kept closed and shut tight. If the truth be told, it takes some very deliberate deciding, prioritizing, choosing and allocating of time--and God's glad supply of grace--to do so.
It was Robert Frost, the poet, who said, “I took the road less traveled, and it has made all the difference.” The difference it may make for us (and those around us, for whom we bear some responsibility before God)—in regard to the Holy Spirit has eternal ramifications. We may need to pause and ponder that a bit.
SECULAR AND RELIGIOUS CULTURE and the SPIRIT OF TRUTH
Since the Holy Spirit—who is called the Spirit of truth—is the topic of this series, we need to describe the meaning of “truth” in the context of our modern culture. “Truth” has become a rather faint, fuzzy and noncommittal concept in current life and contemporary media. Some have described this fuzzy concept as ‘relativism’.
There are so many underlying questions about “truth” in our current Western and American culture that were not as much of an issue as they are now.
As we write about the Holy Spirit we run up against some obstacles in both our secular society and our religious culture.
Although many readers have embraced their Christian faith with its assumptions, presumptions and biblical beliefs, other readers may be quite aware of other contrary climates, perspectives, and beliefs that prevail in the world that surrounds us. A host of other outlooks conflict with those concepts of “truth” and the foundation of Christianity that has served our country so well since its inception.
It would be quite comforting to believe that we could kick back and simply coast in our modern culture and just easily absorb the “truth”, or bump into the truth at every turn. When we experience the realities, we find out that just isn’t so. It’s not that easy.
How much solid Christian truth and morality has been removed from entertainment, dis-allowed in social media conversations, not protected by law, and generally ignored or treated as “politically incorrect”, socially uncomfortable or “archaic” concepts?
Let's give some definition, and go back to the earlier question. By ‘objective truth’ we will refer to (at the very least) a basic standard of moral law and/or ethics. Or, according to Mirriam-Webster: “Fidelity to an original or a standard… The body of real things, events and facts…”
The ‘norms’ for “truth” in ethics, ‘spirituality’ and religion are much more vague, less agreed on and less defined than ever before. How many in our culture even believe that there still is “objective truth”… much less, “absolute truth”? What is our assumed “faith” stand? Is it: “Sure, I believe 'such and such'!” But, is it evident in our lives-- in our behavior and conversation and everyday commitment? Or is it more ‘pick and choose’ regarding what is “truth”?
Generally, when we look around at what is happening, something else may be more evidently observed. It seems that: what is felt, thought, or personally ‘imagined’ and preferred easily become more approved, believed and defensively asserted than objective (much less biblical or Jesus-spoken) “truth”.
Modern life is complex, and situations we face and statements we hear and read are so mixed… things are not as simple to discern or untangle. Falsehoods are always easier to believe and swallow when they contain a portion—even a large portion—of the truth— or real facts wrapped in twisted truth. (The term “wicked” comes from the concept of “twisted”--as in the wick of a candle or oil lamp.) It is in these times that the foundation on which we stand can make all the difference—is it rock or sand?
Various denominations are debating (for a few decades, and newly approving in recent times) decisions against moral and biblical issues that were clearly considered true and solidly believed up until very recent times, in a culture that was called "Christian". It reminds me of the question Pilate asked Jesus on the night of His Passion.
It was Pilate who asked Jesus, “What is truth?” Jesus had just answered him, “You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” [Jn 18:37, 38 NAB&91;
How many in our culture—even in our churches—would agree more with Pilate than with Jesus? There used to be a saying that went something like, “Well, that’s the gospel truth!” The question is: Do we still even equate the gospel with absolute truth? Or is our human opinion and intellectual analysis considered more trustworthy?
Let us then go back, one last time, to the question, “What is objective truth?” More pointedly, let’s look at what God says about truth in the Bible. To begin with, from our Christian awareness, we have the truth that God has revealed through His inspired word in the Bible. This includes the words coming from the mouth of Jesus, Himself. In His own words, Jesus showed us that He not only spoke the truth, but He declared… “I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father but through me.” [Jn. 14:6&91;
Remember, it was Jesus Who said that the Holy Spirit would “lead us into all truth”. We need that “truth” regarding many issues, both personal and public, in every area of life and on every level. God’s truth, way and life were not just meant to pertain to what we sometimes want to isolate as “spiritual” or "religious". Jesus came (He said) that we “might have life, and have it to the full”.
One cannot ignore the fact that God's first concept and plan for "life" for mankind was... the Garden of Eden—a full, rich, complete and beautiful life. Then, we human beings (in the form of our first parents, Adam and Eve) foolishly believed the enemy's deceptive lies, and denied and disobeyed God’s truth, thereby rejecting His blessings and His fellowship walks and talks in the Garden (with Adam and Eve). They were (and now do we keep??) turning away from His loving care. But God settled on a merciful new plan that would bring Jesus, His Son into the world to give each of us a “second chance” personal choice. Jesus came and paid every price for deliverance and redemption and healing and restoration from the enemy's rule, and from the enemy's kingdom--for in Eden satan became "the god of this world".
A full life includes many, many aspects. “Life” in its biblical concept—in God’s eyes and mind—was never meant to be limited to a mere “religious” corner of our path, our week, or our existence. God the Father makes that clear in the Old Testament, where we find that innumerable overall aspects of the nitty-gritty’s of life are covered by over 600 laws written in the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible). Other books of the Bible—including much in the New Testament—cover “life” and what blesses us, what brings curses and trouble, and what makes life abundant and fruitful.
MAN’S INTELLIGENCE NEEDS GODLY WISDOM
In the midst of our times when technology is “king”, and people have a sense that anything is possible with the right amount of applied knowledge and hard work and mental (or computer) processes, it may be out of our line of thinking to recognize our human limits. We can more easily ignore or fail to recognize that there is a Lord God Almighty Who wants to help, bless, direct and re-direct us— continually. He has the desire to lead us in some more fruitful ways and at a life-giving pace—with wisdom far beyond our own. The Holy Spirit is, has and gives the spirit of wisdom.
Even our own power, intelligence and wisdom need a “higher” management, control and direction than we may exercise on our own. This can apply to all kinds of decisions, directions, assumptions and choices that we continually need to make as we live life.
HUMAN LIMITS… GOD SHOWS HIS GLORY
There are times and days upon this earth when the limits of mankind (our knowledge, our power, our strength, our wisdom, our “ways” [vs. God’s ways, our thoughts vs. God’s thoughts&91;, our actions, our answers, and our systems, etc.) are revealed to be much more faulty and lame and insufficient than we had previously thought them to be. Some see this happening even now, in this season of history.
God can use these times to show His “glory”. Now that term and concept can be complicated. Simply put, His glory is His goodness, His love, His power, His majesty—as it is known, shown and/or worshipped. It is His ability and desire to manifest these attributes to those who turn to Him humbly and call upon His name, as we seek Him “in spirit and in truth”… and desire His way, His truth, and His life. As people do this, we find that God desires to lead us precisely toward what we have been seeking—and to the One Who became manifested as Jesus Christ, His only Son and our Savior, Who is (as we have quoted from scripture) The Way, The Truth and The Life.
HOW DOES THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAK?
If we did justice to God (which we could never ‘justly’ accomplish), this section of the article would be endless. Our Creative and relational God also is creative in how He can choose to speak to us and communicate with us. Even in an earthly way, we discover that love can find many ways to communicate and relate. How much more would this be so for God Who IS Love. If the Lord could speak through a donkey—to a vacillating prophet (Balaam) on a wayward mission—he can speak through anyone or anything. In fact, as it is fairly evident that having the animal ‘mouthpiece’ be a donkey is a message in and of itself.
We religious and/or ‘spiritual’ people may want to self-righteously put certain things and some people in the ‘donkey’ category, but God may amaze us with what and whom He chooses to convey important guidance and/ or truths to us. It only points to the fact that we need to be (continually) humbly open to hear and to receive (as we keep seeking Him) whatever God has to say to us or show us.
Balaam’s donkey story [Numbers 22:22-35&91; also shows that God gives us more than one chance to get the message. The poor donkey was beaten three different times as it was seeing an angel with a sword and attempting to protect itself and Balaam—although God later told Balaam that the sword was meant for Balaam, but the donkey would have been spared. Finally, God moved the donkey to speak, and then that enabled Balaam’s eyes to see the angel—and then to hear and respond to God’s message.
Numerous books have been written and talks given on how (and through what) God speaks. We won’t even start here with a list. The simplest statement to make is this: Our loving Omnipotent God will find a way to get through to each of us (whom He knows and loves so individually and intricately and totally) if we are in any way willing and at all open to hearing. God loves to see us turn to Him with a desire to hear Him and follow Him. One man I know prays that God will hit him in the head with a 2x4 if that is necessary. That is not something we recommend, but it does show the man’s passionate willingness. He is seriously interested in God’s guidance.
The hindrances of our many false or incomplete assumptions and short-sighted presumptions can block and limit our hearing and seeing. But we can pray and open ourselves up to God while seeking His ways to speak and show us things. It is hard to imagine just how much He wants to communicate with us, His children, whom He enjoys and loves.
PENTECOST WAY OF LIFE
For the apostles, Pentecost was not just a day. It was a way of life. The apostles carried Pentecost with them. The Holy Spirit went with them. His work surrounded them as a perennial season of life-giving words and deeds. They needed the Holy Spirit to fulfill the words of Jesus found in Mark chapter 16: “These signs shall follow those who believe…”. (We covered that in Part II of this series.)
The followers of Jesus sought God’s help and trusted the Holy Spirit’s power to work in them as the Father and Jesus had promised and desired.
The Holy Spirit continually helped them to love Christ, and face hardships. The Spirit enabled them to keep on serving and choosing Him—even extremely— to a martyr’s death. The Holy Spirit gave them the wisdom and strength to love one another, and to pray and intercede for one another. He helped them to seek God’s will and His word, and the Spirit helped recall those words to mind (both spoken and in scriptures) as needed—as Peter experienced and demonstrated at Pentecost.
The fruit of the Spirit enabled them to seek and have a shepherd’s heart—to care about and care for God’s people as Jesus taught and gave example to them to do.
FROM THE SAINTS… TO NOW
Some have made statements like: “Holy Spirit manifestations were meant for the apostles’ times only”.
Two explanations come to mind. One is that it is easy to assume or presume that certain works of the Holy Spirit were limited because we do not see Holy Spirit manifestations as much now. Does that mean that the biblical truths regarding the Holy Spirit must not apply as much now?
That explanation works if our primary perspective is to justify ourselves or defend what is going on in these days. That is one way to see things. That line of thinking does make it easier for our own sense of self-righteousness to be protected. It makes it easier for our religious self-image to tolerate. It’s always easier to make excuses. But what if our hunger for God and for the truth and for real connection and energized life rises up? How would we see things through the eyes of a hungry, humble, scripture-loving, seeking believer?
To put limits on the Holy Spirit raises the question: Is there is a “P.S.” on certain Bible verses that imply “Sorry! You just have to stumble through on your own human power after _____ (a certain day, century, event or time)”.
On the other hand, it is difficult to imagine that the God of all the ages (Alpha and Omega)—who has no beginning and has no end—could have put an “expiration date” on His “living” word (Jesus) or His One “that would lead us into all truth” (the Holy Spirit). Are we to believe that this mighty God—Eternal and All-Powerful… this Omnipresent God who can see the vastness of eternity in a flash—does not have the power or the vision to make pro[active&91;vision (provision) for all His followers throughout the ages to hear and know the truth of His word… along with the power to receive, obey and accomplish it? 5 Is He in some way confounded or confused or overwhelmed by our great modern abilities, intellectual discoveries, technologies and knowledge as we are rushing to and fro?
THE HOLY SPIRIT IN HISTORY
The history of God’s people actually tells a continually revealing story. Evidence of Jesus’ disciples’ lives throughout time show that God did not proclaim a set time limit on how long His word would be “true” or “workable” in His followers’ lives. The saints—and many “unknowns” in present time and through the ages—have tapped into the multiplied help and power of God manifested through the enabling work of the Holy Spirit. The One Who “always was” and “always will be” has never ceased to love, to care, to see, to know, and to reach out 24/7 to each one of us on earth who cries out to Him— or, sometimes, even just looks His merciful direction.
There have been moves of the Holy Spirit—and believers and followers who take the Father and Jesus at their word and receive the Holy Spirit’s help and power—throughout Christian history. Some saints have evidenced great power in the Holy Spirit and done mighty deeds because of it—as they simply sought to follow God and see this world touched by His love and power and truth and life. 6
Some specific saints that come to mind are St. Patrick [7&91;, St. Pio [8&91;, St. John Vianney (patron of priests) [9&91;, St. Benedict [10&91;, St. Valentine [11&91;, and St. Andre Bessette [12&91;
These saints mentioned are just a very, very few of those throughout the ages that have known God manifested through the presence of the Holy Spirit, in the light of the truth and fullness of God’s word in scripture. Someday, we may find ourselves considering these saintly behaviors “normal” and our own ways stunted and… questionable. 13
RESPONDING TO THE HOLY SPIRIT:
Two Warnings and… Balance
Scripture exhorts us not to stifle the Holy Spirit. “Do not quench [suppress or subdue&91; the [Holy&91; Spirit…” [1 Thessalonians 5:19&91; Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) “Do not quench the Spirit”. [New American Standard Bible&91;
"Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." [Ephesians 4:30, New American Standard Bible (NASB) Bible Gateway&91;
And from the Amplified Bible:
"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [do not offend or vex or sadden Him&91;, by Whom you were sealed (marked, branded as God’s own, secured) for the day of redemption (of final deliverance through Christ from evil and the consequences of sin).
Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind).
And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely&91;, as God in Christ forgave you."
[Ephesians 4:30-32&91; Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) [Bible Gateway&91;
What about “balance”? How do we not go “overboard”?
Frankly, it is a difficult thing to know where to draw the line on control, limits, etc. when it comes to allowing the Holy Spirit full freedom in any group. Boxes—tight and well-sealed—are always easier and safer, but not necessarily Godly or wise. It is amazing just how difficult it is to contain God in any of our well-designed "boxes". Some issues are wisely mentioned in the New Testament regarding Holy Spirit gifts. Otherwise, we can be assured that our very-able God will lead us step-by-step. He has promised to lead us into the truth.
As mentioned above, we do not want to grieve or stifle the Holy Spirit. We do, however, want to “test the spirits”—not by our own ignorance, fear, or religious preference, but—by whether “they belong to God”, and “acknowledge(s) Jesus Christ, come in the flesh” [I Jn 4:1&91; This includes the recognition of the power of His blood, His righteousness (alone), and the price He Himself paid for our blessings and benefits (salvation, forgiveness, deliverance, healing, grace, gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit, etc.). "...Because many false prophets have gone out into the world... You belong to God, children, and you have conquered them, for the [One&91; that is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."[I Jn. 4:1-4&91; The scripture speaks clearly of unholy spirits, (vs. 3 tells us these spirits are already in the world) so God warns us to "test the spirits".
The “wind” blows differently in different places. The rain can come down unexpectedly, and in varying amounts and intensity in different places--even in the same city. Wind and rain are analogous representations and signs of the Holy Spirit used in scripture. We can, by grace, trust that God will lead us. We can continue to pray and pray and pray that we are not led beyond His will, purposes and plans. If so, He leads us in new ways… again. There is expectancy even now around this time of Pentecost--for new and vibrant manifestations of God's love and power.
There is an analogy here that concerns sailboats. Let us consider it like a parable that may shed some light.
DANGERS…STAYING UPRIGHT
This was found on a website describing dangers for sailboats and staying upright.
“Any sailboat needs a vertical appendage on the lower part of its hull to avoid being blown sideways whenever the wind comes from the side. Except when the boat is sailing directly downwind, the wind always hits one side of the boat or the other and would keep the boat from sailing as nearly straight forward as possible.” [Writer's comment: Some side winds can be likened to the unholy spirits that are set against every God-led purpose and plan, and they are determined to throw us off-course... Other side winds are of the Holy Spirit if we are headed in a misguided direction, helping us to change our course to line up with His plan.&91;
“… In its lowered position, the centerboard usually extends straight down into the water below the boat.
… Again, the primary function of the centerboard is to prevent the boat from being blown sideways by the wind from either side. The trimmed sails” [Writer's comment: trimmed sails are sails that are placed in the best position to catch the wind, from whatever direction the wind is blowing&91; “and rudder direct the boat to move in the direction the bow points [in other words, straight ahead&91;.” 14
The fruit of a Holy Spirit-led-and-formed character (‘Spirit-controlled' temperament) act, in part, as the trimmed sails, knowing when and how to catch the wind of the Spirit. Emotions alone… changing feelings… fears and religious prejudices… do not make good sails. The “trimming” of the sails needs best be done by the pruning of the Lord, Himself [Jn. 15:1-3&91; to produce more good fruit in us… not by our own foolish prejudices and vacillating feelings that would blow us off-course.
Another sea-faring analogy can be found in James chapter 3. It underscores the power and importance of our tongues, and how our spoken words can be either helpful or destructive.
James 4 and 5 says: "Look at the ships. Though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, they are steered by a very small rudder. Even so the tongue is a little member and it can boast of great things. See how ... great a forest a tiny spark can get ablaze."
The words we speak—and using the authority of the name of Jesus, as He commanded His disciples—can speak what gives and brings life or the opposite— death and/or destruction. [Deut. 30; Prov. 13:3&91; We usually take our talk and speaking much too lightly. How often does the (Old and) New Testament—and, especially, Jesus Christ, the living “Word made flesh” [Jn. 1:14&91;—speak firmly about our words!
“…On the day of judgment people will render an account for every careless word they speak.” [Mt 12:36&91; (Try looking up “word” and “words” in a concordance, and find the scriptures mentioned and be impressed.)
Many years ago there was a popular saying, “God is my co-pilot.” Later, a more accurate saying came about in reference to the former one. “If God is your co-pilot, you are in the wrong seat.” In truth, we need Him to be the One Who has His hand on the rudder of our sailboat. We fail, in our own abilities alone, to steer steadily forward. He, however, can make our “crooked ways straight.”
To bring these thoughts together, our “tongues” and words and choices need to be put more and more—humbly, deliberately, with seeking hearts—in the hands of the King of kings. The “winds” of our feelings… of our desires and those of others… of culture and some “sacred cows”… etc., need to be continually sifted to discern if the “side wind” is of the Holy Spirit or not.
There does need to be a “centerboard”. We need to be centered in seeking God’s will, His way, His plan… His “kingdom come, will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” [from Jesus’ prayer ‘Our Father’&91; The centerboard is also like the (main large) taproot on a tree that helps keep the tree safe in a strong wind, and also goes down deep for water… as in "the tree planted by living waters", in the Bible, that we are meant to be like. The Lord is our foundational root and our center—strong, steady and reliable, like a taproot.
We move continually in Him (although sometimes we are asked to rest in Him, not moving)—looking to Him and at Him as we choose and we ‘do’, we rest and we just ‘be’… “running the race” (sometimes just crawling)… heading toward the goals and purposes He has revealed and shown, both corporately and individually.
CHALLENGING DAYS AHEAD
There are those who believe that harder times lie ahead. God has a history of showing Himself mighty and good to those who draw near to Him—despite the fact that Jesus told us that “in the world you have tribulation. But have courage; I have overcome the world.” [Jn 16:33&91; We can remind ourselves that, even when we experience tribulation, God can be—and wants to be—truly present to us and good to us, too. He never changes. Sometimes it is a “good” that means grace and help, especially in situations that we would prefer not to be in. And He is able to evaluate “good” in so many long-term, broad-scale and future-oriented ways that spell out good for us (along with others around us) in a manner or in outcomes that we short-sighted humans may have no inkling of.
We can get better and better at learning to appreciate His goodness that may or may not coincide with some of our “vending machine” expectations and desires. Although the “vending machine” concept of God is a demeaning and inaccurate concept, God says in His word that He does want to give us “the desires of our hearts”*… as we surrender our lives to Him and put things into His hands long enough for Him to craft answers and blessings that fit into the myriad ways that He is working in, around, and through us. (*”Find your delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.” [Ps. 37:4&91;)
Some still wonder if—or how much—they need the Holy Spirit in their lives. We can feel free to ask ourselves, “Is there something missing in my life?” “Do I see anything (that God might be stirring in my heart) as I read the scriptures… that the Holy Spirit might want to do in my life or through me for others? …Am I willing to receive His help?” Jesus’ answer, at that point, is to “knock”, “seek”, “ask” … then “receive”… (as we said earlier) for the Father would be glad to give “good gifts to His children”…[Luke 11:13&91;
NEED FOR COMMUNITY
In the days ahead, the need for true and real communities of Christian believers—genuinely seeking God and His ways and truth—may be discovered again… in families, in neighborhoods, in church groups, in businesses seeking God’s ways, in any “two or more gathered in His name”. This can only happen successfully as we value and seek the Holy Spirit’s fruit as much as His gifts.
Society is becoming more and more disjointed and alienated from God… and farther and farther away from patterning things (ideals, businesses, family practices and relationships, social interactions, values, morals, etc., etc.) on His ways, truth or life. We have been accustomed to calling things “Christian” and “community” and other such words that are used lightly and sometimes inaccurately.
Modern man has gotten very, very good at “right” terminology… carefully crafted “politically correct” words and statements, etc. They may or may not be merely external and superficial. They may or may not truly describe the core belief or commitment of the person/ group/ company/ corporation/ entity that expresses the word or statement.
The need we present here is a real need for the real thing… the “real deal”—true caring and Biblical love, not just a cleverly crafted show of it. That does not in any way translate as “perfection” or “fully baked” or without issues and problems. It all gets back to having to do with people’s hearts. When people seek to live—from a truly committed heart choice—really for and in the Lord, they are choosing a path that follows Jesus in what He told his disciples: Above all, love God. And, secondly, love your neighbor. [simple paraphrase of Lk 10:27.&91; Real (and even all the various kinds of real) “love”—by the best [I Cor. 13&91; definition and Jesus Christ’s definitions—is agape and unconditional love. That is the important operative word and concept.
God covers and graces a lot. Love can cover a multitude of: sins, mistakes, misjudgments, faux pas, etc. The early Christians learned to love one another in very shared, practical ways. May we discover the new ways the Holy Spirit wants to lead us as we face any coming challenges.
WELCOMING THE HOLY SPIRIT
There is no doubt that the Holy Spirit is calling each of us to come closer. The more we receive His help, come to His mercy and to His loving power, the more we show forth God’s glory. He gets the honor, thanks, and praise, not us. There are times when God demonstrates His goodness and power, His love and His provision as He calls His people to holiness and trust. He doesn’t change, but He does reveal Himself in clearer ways and in different ways to fit the needs of His people in various places—and at different times.
May we receive “every good and perfect gift” from the “father of lights”. [James 1:17&91; And may the Holy Spirit lead us all the way as He comforts and guides; “gifts” us and develops our “fruit”; empowers us in large and small ways to help us thrive and bring others to the saving love of Jesus Christ.
The days ahead may be challenging on many levels. There never has been a better time to take courage and go beyond our everyday presumptions and assumptions, and the self-evaluated sense that we are “good enough”. God has so much more that He desires to give—into our lives and for the sake of others. Every day presents an opportunity to receive new power from the Holy Spirit.
We can continue (humbly and expectantly as a child before the Father) to ask, and seek, and receive all the help our generous God desires to give. Our lives and the lives of those around us can only be the richer for it. 15
Watch for our last blog in this series:
Part IV is POSTSCRIPT to PENTECOST: COMING TO THE LIVING WORD OF GOD
This article presents us with some life-giving perspectives. No one can shed light on a book like the Author, Himself. The Holy Spirit brings scripture to life. We also celebrate the feast of the Most Holy Trinity on the Sunday immediately following Pentecost Sunday. We take time honoring the love of the Father and the Son, in addition to the Holy Spirit.
FOOTNOTES:
(Please note that any part of a scripture quote in this article that is in bold type has been put in bold print by this author.)
1 CONFIRMATION AND BEYOND: LIFE IN AND WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, posted by Kathy Boh on March 2, 2017.
2 Ibid.
3 Ibid.
4 Ibid.
5 It is also difficult to believe that God would abandon His people to their own (very insufficient) devices at a time like this. We daily see the “signs of the times”—from the “signs in the heavens” (unusual sun and moon occurrences recently: four recent “blood moons”, particular eclipses…) to the “wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes,” etc. We see Matthew 24 signs increasing… statistically… with a strong upsurge from about the early 1990’s.
The Fatima secret is out… and other Marian warnings corresponding to biblical predictions are current news. St. Malachy’s papal prophesies have run their course. Jesus told us in Matthew 24 to watch for the signs of the times.
6 THE POWER OF PENTECOST: A three-part series, Part II: WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES PENTECOST MAKE?, by Kathy Boh, June 15, 2017.
7 ST. PATRICK, PARTS I and II, by Kathy Boh, trinitychurchsupply.com/blog, pub. March 15, 2017
8 ST. PIO of PIETRELCINA, by Kathy Boh, trinitychurchsupply.com/blog, pub. September 23, 2016.
9 ST. JOHN VIANNEY, by Kathy Boh, trinitychurchsupply.com/blog, pub. August 3, 2016
10 ST. BENEDICT, by Kathy Boh, trinitychurchsupply.com/blog, pub. July 8, 2016
11 ST. VALENTINE, by Kathy Boh, trinitychurchsupply.com/blog, pub. February 11, 2016
12 ST. ANDRE BESSETTE, PARTS I and II, by Kathy Boh, trinitychurchsupply.com/blog, pub. January 6 and January 14, 2016
13THE POWER OF PENTECOST: A three-part series, Part II: WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES PENTECOST MAKE?, by Kathy Boh, June 15, 2017.
14 https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-use-the-centerboard-2915476
15 CONFIRMATION AND BEYOND: LIFE IN AND WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, posted by Kathy Boh on March 2, 2017.
]]>AN EVENTFUL DAY OR A NEW WAY OF LIFE?
A look at the effects of Pentecost
and the coming of the Holy Spirit
THE POWER OF PENTECOST MANIFESTED
We celebrate Pentecost on Sunday, May 31, 2020.
In Part I of this series, THEN CAME PENTECOST:THE PROMISE, THE ROOTS AND WHAT HAPPENED, we ended with the description of the crowd listening to Peter speak after the Holy Spirit manifested His presence to the disciples at Pentecost.
Let’s start Part II with a repeat of one of the last paragraphs. It sets the scene. Peter had just addressed the group of pilgrims and Jerusalem natives who were moving about outside of the place where the disciples were gathered.
NEW BELIEVERS
Peter's speech had more impact than anyone could have imagined.
The crowd of unsuspecting listeners was immediately overwhelmed by his words. They were moved by the Holy Spirit, just as Peter himself was full of the Holy Spirit. God's power was operating in, through and around him. Listeners were touched deeply in their hearts and spirits.
“Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brethren, what shall we do?’ Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.’ And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation!’ So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.” [Acts 2:37-41 NASB&91;
Imagine and observe the scene described. We have an unsuspecting crowd of visiting pilgrims and those native to Jerusalem who are responding to an unforeseen event. We have a previously frightened fisherman who gets up and addresses this vast throng of people— without the benefit of a microphone or an arena, a prepared speech or crowd handlers. He had no credentials to present to this dutifully religious crowd coming to Jerusalem for their solemn feast. And their religious leaders had just had this Jesus arrested, tortured and killed less than 2 months previous to this speech. Some, if not many, of these visitors would have been there for Passover— when Jesus was crucified and his followers dispersed into hiding. And we have a simple, impulsive fisherman (Peter) who (within a couple months of denying and abandoning his Rabbi and leader, Jesus) boldly wins over a vast crowd of strangers to that same Lord Jesus Christ. 1
COMMUNAL LIFE
What happened to this crowd—and to Peter, himself—was amazing enough. But how they responded with their lives, moving forward, is impressive. The Acts of the Apostles continues to describe this early Christian “mixed” gathering of newly-won followers of Jesus Christ. It picks up the story in the very next verse.
Acts 2:42 “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of the bread and to prayer.”
This verse speaks volumes. These followers did—continually— four important things that contribute to a 24/7, solid Christian life. And they did it wholeheartedly and committedly. More follows in verse 43:
“Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.”
Pentecost was not just a day. It became a way of life that greatly impacted their lives. The remarkable descent of the Holy Spirit upon those in that Upper Room—and then those won to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit through Peter’s bold sermon—became an on-going gathering of believers in Jerusalem. The apostles worked miracles as the days went on; they preached the “good news” with powerful effect; they changed their way of life together, working toward considering themselves a true and caring “community".
“And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.” [Acts 2:42-47, NASB&91;
The dedication, passion and commitment of these early believers encompassed and took priority over their whole lives. The power of the Holy Spirit enlivened the disciples in so many ways. Then His flowing power and manifestations became almost contagious—as prayers went up, and sharing and mutual generosity were observable, and enthusiasm for God and his purposes was undisguised. Love and care was made evident. Passion for God was seen and felt—not so much “emotionally” as “tangibly” in committed, life-changing ways.
There are those who say that the move of the Spirit was a “one-time thing” or limited to the “apostolic” age… or the like. But history tells another story. There have been moves of the Holy Spirit—and believers and followers who take the Father and Jesus at their word and receive the Holy Spirit’s help and power—throughout Christian history. There are innumerable stories and life witnesses even throughout the 20th century and the last decades describing lives devoted to the Lord and lived truly by the power of the Holy Spirit. (On the other hand, there are also those who use this concept as a “catch phrase” or an assumption to back up what is said or done… but not necessarily with the involvement or inspiration of the Holy Spirit. John warns us, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God..." [1 John4:1&91;)
Some have said that the early Christian era encompassed simpler times and simpler people and they had greater need. Some presume that our sophisticated, advanced, technological times don’t require such heavenly assistance. One quick glance around us at the messes, the confusion, and the complications in life might result in a different conclusion. We may end up taking a serious look and give an earnest cry for help from the only One Who sees and knows all, and loves us anyway. He hears us, and desires to help us in spite of all that saddens Him that surrounds us, and all that we have failed to see, recognize, listen to, believe, obey and do.
The Bible shows no expiration date on God’s truth, His love and His desire to intervene and save—except as (scripturally speaking) End Time events bring things to a close. And God is quite alive and well, still confirming that His word is Truth and that He is Love and does not change. So we can believe what He says and let Him apply that truth even now.
Some saints have evidenced great power in the Holy Spirit and have done mighty deeds because of it, as they simply sought to follow God and see this world touched by His love and power and truth and life. (More on this through the rest of this series.)
Jesus said, “Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asks for a fish? If you, then… know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him.” [Mt 7:7-11&91;
He also said, quite pointedly: “If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father [Who is Love Himself (blogger comment)&91; give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” [Luke ll:13&91; The Father desires to give the Holy Spirit (with His gifts, blessings, empowerments, and fruit-in-formation) as we continue to seek Him.
DIFFERENT EFFECTS
So much can be said about the Holy Spirit and the role that the Spirit seeks to play in our daily lives. There are dozens of scriptures that shed light on His power, His comfort, His help and His presence—all of which are so available to those who ask [Luke 11:13&91;. In John 16: 12-15, Jesus explained that the Holy Spirit would “guide” us into “all truth”— truth that comes from the Father and the Son. Those of us who seek to receive His power to live the Christ-life can find guidance as we need it, and experience Him as Comforter—which was the name Jesus used for Him in the gospel of John, chapters 14, 15 and 16. 2 We see some of these readings in our liturgies leading up to Pentecost, including the 6th Sunday after Easter and the 7th Sunday, celebrating the Ascension of our Lord.
TEACH
Jesus told us of God the Father’s plan to send the Spirit to be with us after Jesus returned to heaven, and he spoke of the Holy Spirit to his disciples several times before He died.
“ …The Advocate, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—He will teach you everything and remind you of all I have told you.” [Jn. 14:26&91; “When the Advocate comes…the Spirit of truth…He will testify to me… [Jn. 15:26&91; …He will guide you to all truth…and will declare to you the things that are coming.” [Jn 16:13&91; 3
WITNESS
Until his final Ascension, Jesus continued to instruct, encourage, comfort, reassure and bless his apostles and disciples who were going through some troubling experiences with Jesus in just a short span of time. This sometimes confused (but eventually convinced) group of followers took it all in.
After the Holy Spirit descended upon them, things changed.
The frightened and sometimes hesitant disciples turned into a bold-and-enabled group of followers. They began to go into the world (as Jesus had commanded them)—courageously and empowered.
God the Father had arranged for the Spirit to come (after Jesus had ascended into heaven) to give us power to live life as Jesus’ disciple/ follower, and to share the “good news” and the truth of that new life that Jesus desires for all those who would call themselves “Christian”—“Christ followers”—whatever the denomination. Jesus literally “counted the cost” and released us from the chains of sin and death. Jesus was willing to die a horrible death for us, to pay the price for salvation (and every grace and blessing that comes from that, which is—actually—much, much more than we can imagine). 4
Jesus made several appearances after the resurrection. “…[A&91;s the eleven were at table, he appeared to them… [Jesus&91; said to them: ‘Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.’” [Mark 16:14-16&91;
SIGNS OF BELIEVERS
Jesus continues in the next verse:
“’These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons; they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick and they will recover.’”
“So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.” [Mk 16:17-20&91;
Signs and wonders were produced by manifestations of the Holy Spirit’s power in the gifts that He gave—as the disciples asked and prayed and believed.
The Holy Spirit comes to empower us in many ways.
The Holy Spirit comes to bring to life and enliven the words and the heart, the spirit and the person of Jesus, Himself. Jesus told us that the Spirit would be a “Comforter” in the midst of the “tribulations” that Jesus said we would surely face while we were in this world; the Holy Spirit could enable us to manifest Jesus’ overcoming power and the peace that Jesus spoke of in regard to the troubles of this world. [Jn. 16:33&91; The Holy Spirit was sent to empower us to know and understand the truth; to pray with us and through us when we did not know how to pray; the power to win every battle against the enemy; and much more… 5
GIFTS AND FRUIT
First Corinthians chapter 12 speaks very explicitly about the spiritual gifts.
“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service, but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual, the manifestation is given for some benefit …wisdom …knowledge …faith …healing …mighty deeds …prophesy …discernment of spirits …tongues …interpretation … administration… assistance… [teaching&91;…
…But one and the same Spirit produces all of these [above mentioned gifts&91;, distributing them individually to each person as he wishes.” [1Cor.12:4-11; 28&91;. “Strive earnestly for the greatest spiritual gifts. But I shall show you a still more excellent way…” [1Cor.12:31b&91; 6
We could speak about the “gifts of the Spirit” at great length. Although they are not so often discussed, God’s people need them for so many reasons.
Each is a Holy Spirit help to win others to the Lord… to truly and fully fulfill our callings from the Lord… to live in peace and in protection among others… to minister in all kinds of ways… to make the pivotal and personal decisions in life, and particularly any decision affecting anyone in or under our (and/ or the Lord’s) care… to pray fully and effectively…
Why would the gifts be necessary? Some brief answers: to receive many of His blessings… to be a vessel of healing and Holy Spirit power… to deal effectively and wisely with evil… to know how to establish purpose and plans for the future (that are in concert with living under God’s Lordship and in His kingdom)… to convey God’s truth in an understandable and mighty, effective way… to convey Jesus’ word and saving message in a way that deeply touches hearts as only God can… And many other things.
THE SPIRIT OF LOVE
Following these words (in 1 Cor. 12) we find the well-known 1 Corinthians 13 chapter on love. (You might recall these beautiful words from hearing them repeated… in marriage ceremonies or from Sunday readings: “Love is patient, love is kind…”) We have an eminently good description of love—the cornerstone, the core, the point of origin, and the surrounding atmosphere of every other “good” fruit. 7
God is Love… and love is the heart of it all, when it comes to living for and with the Lord. It is also foundational to all the other gifts and the other fruits, for they begin with seeking to love God and others.
So, let’s take a look at the Holy Spirit’s “fruit”. Good fruit—both in natural plant life and in the spiritual reality— first of all, grows from a seed planted in good soil. (We may recall Jesus' parables that spoke of the sower, the seed, and the soil.) It then follows a growth cycle that is often lengthy.
The “fruit” of the Holy Spirit is (to describe the natural fruit analogy) planted, germinated, grown, tended, blossomed and “fruited” by, with and through the loving action of the Holy Spirit, as we co-operate and seek His help and grace. Again, God continues to reach-and-keep-on-reaching to care for and empower those who turn and come to Him—choosing to walk with Him as Father, Redeemer, Lord, Comforter, Advocate (and the many other character-revealing names that God has in the Bible). 8
It is God's work in and through us that makes us both willing and able to do what pleases Him. He makes that clear in the following verse:
“For God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to” [actually do the&91; “work”/ service. [Phil.2:13; see also Phil. 1:6; 1Cor.12:6; 15:10; 2Cor.3:5&91; God shows that He desires to give the grace and enabling for the character-fruit of the Holy Spirit (“love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” [Gal.5:22&91; ). We can turn to the Holy Spirit and continually seek and ask Him to grace, gift and form good fruit in us. 9
The "gift" of the Holy Spirit—while resembling "fruit"—can be analogous to handing someone an apple to eat. The apple is already developed when it is offered to us. We simply receive it. Likewise with spiritual gifts, we simply discern, receive and operate in them. (See the above 1Jn 4:1 reference.)
Growing the fruit is another matter altogether—it is a process. Holy Spirit fruit—formed as we "abide" in the Lord's hands—deeply becomes embedded in our character and grows as HIS new life becomes manifest in us. It lasts, as we choose to embrace it and cooperate with the formation process. We human beings left to our own devices are not able to do that. We can do a good imitation of it by our own strength and for our own purposes and by our own will, but the real fruit of the Holy Spirit must come through cooperation with God Himself. Jesus said that the life-giving fruit came through Him, the Vine, to us, the branches. Jesus said that we, the branches, could only bear fruit if we remained on the Vine. [see more below, Jn 15:4-5&91;
WE ARE CALLED AND WE ARE SENT
How much do we who call ourselves His children, His followers, realize:
that each of us is “chosen” and “appointed” to “bear fruit that
will remain”?
1Jn 15:16 says, "It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to bear fruit that will remain."
Frankly, that simple statement from Jesus presents some pathways that we may be quite unfamiliar with—but which are far from impossible. In fact, they are most enlivening and empowering —and possible with God’s help. And from a scriptural point of view, the “fruit of the Holy Spirit” was never meant to happen without God’s help.
The fruit that can “remain” must come from the “Vine” that is able and willing to produce long-term, everlasting fruit because the Vine, by His nature, is ever-True, always stable, ever-faithful, and holds the saving, gracing power we lack.
Jesus’ power and help now comes to us through the Holy Spirit. Jesus was eager for the Father to send the Holy Spirit because He knew that every believer throughout time would be able to have the “Spirit of Jesus” with them through even the most mundane moments in life. Even outside of a church building, the Holy Spirit would continue to dwell with them and within them.
There are many of us who are glad to go to church on Sunday, and perhaps take part in other services throughout the week… even daily. Some go to Bible studies, or prayer groups or daily mass, or worship, or other gatherings, prayer and fellowship opportunities. But what do we do to honor God, or receive His help in living the rest of the day, or week? That covers a lot of (24/7) hours and activities and challenges and issues and areas of life and living that we experience. Is God a part of those areas and places and times and challenges? Do we realize how much He wants to be an energizing and living help and comfort, provider and guide?
Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.” [Mt 5:14&91; He called Himself the “Light” [Jn 8:12&91;. So whose light are we shining? Above, we quoted Jesus as saying, ““It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to bear fruit that will remain.” [Jn. 15:16&91;
“Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me… because without me you can do nothing.” [Jn. 15:4-5&91;
What does that “nothing” mean? The truth be told, many of us would say that we are “doing” a lot. How fruitful are our “doings”? That might be a risky question to ask ourselves.
We know that Jesus always tells the truth. It is not in Him or His nature to do otherwise… for He (intrinsically, totally) IS the Way, the Truth, and the Life. So… if He says [implying that we are bearing fruit for his kingdom, and for every plan and purpose He has for us as His followers&91; that we can do “nothing” without Him, what are we doing… without Him? Who exactly are we pleasing? How much are we living as His “followers”?
If we are truly ‘doing, doing, doing’… ‘busy, busy, busy’… why/ who/ and what are we “following”? What “fruit” is the “Vine” bearing in us? Are we still a “connected” branch? (Verse 6 tells us a very undesirable end of branches that do not remain in him. “Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned.”) Verse 8-9 tells us, “By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples… Remain in my love.”
It is as we “remain IN [His&91; love" that we are in the perfect climate for developing good “fruit”. It's the perfect 'fathering' love of our Father God and the perfect love of the 'husband'-ing (Bridegroom) Jesus and the perfect powerful love of the Holy Spirit working in us that succeeds in forming good fruit in us—to better enable us to love God and love others in very specific ways. This means that we don’t have to stop or quit when we reach the “I can’t” point. We can move on to the “God help me!” place where St. Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Verse 12 [of John chapter 15&91; tells us: “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.” How else could we truly do this as He commands without the (Holy) Spirit of Truth and power and love—the manifestation of Christ, the Anointed One—living in us and actively working through us?
Jesus also said, “My yoke is easy and my burden [is&91; light…” [Mt. 11:30&91; His Good-Shepherd love sought to help (tend, care for, and even carry) His flock in every way possible. He criticized the Pharisees (whose spirit and practice are yet alive and well today) for “they tie up heavy burdens [hard to carry&91; and lay them on [other&91; people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them… For they preach but they do not practice.” [Mt. 23:4, 3b&91;
Jesus knew this is what the people were accustomed to experiencing and hearing from many other religious leaders. He wanted them to see and know the difference He could make. So, He said, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest... learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart, and you will find rest for yourselves.” [Mt. 11:28-29&91;
We can make sense of these profound yet straightforward concepts as we begin to—simply—put it together (after we first, really, count His word as true.). However, we also need to “count the cost” of accepting the truth. Jesus said, clearly. that He was and is the "Truth"... as are His word[s&91; to us. He is the living Word. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” [Jn 1:1&91; His plan is to let that truth shape our lives (thoughts, actions, words, attitudes, relationships, agendas, practices, plans, etc.).
Too often we spend time judging and criticizing His truth/ His word, or attempt to explain away what we don’t like or care to receive. We choose to prefer our own thoughts, ideas, political correctness, feelings, desires, and will, plan and ways. We sometimes treat the bible like a smorgasbord cafeteria, to pick and choose what satisfies us or appeals, and reject what we don’t like. Who, then is “God”? What are we putting before Him/ above Him/ instead of Him? How often is that just simply... ourselves?
These are the pieces that we need to put together: Jesus calls us to bear good fruit. He calls us to “follow” Him in many ways. Above we mentioned those five signs “accompany[ing&91; those who believe” in Jesus that, for the most part, we ignore or are not doing. They may seem “out of our league”/ out of our comfort zone/ undesirable/ too difficult/ not on our minds/ far from our agendas or plans— or all of the above.
But Jesus humbly wants to help us carry the load. He wants us to LET Him work in and through us. It matters not only for ourselves, but for those who do not yet know Him—and His salvation, love, grace and power. After all, Jesus called His followers to go into the whole world to make disciples. Even those of us who live in what we see as a "small world" can help shed His light.
The Holy Spirit is the multiplied help available to every believer/ follower/ disciple. Jesus desired the coming of the Holy Spirit for his followers because He wanted to see them—and “them” is now “us”—receive individual, ever-available assistance, even as they went (or as we go) all different directions fulfilling His call. Jesus specifically told them that he had to go to the Father for the Holy Spirit to come [Jn. 16:7&91;, but He knew and said that it would be even better for them if He would go. [Jn. 16:28&91;. Any follower, at any time—even everyone at the same time, in whatever way needed—could (and can) be helped and empowered by the Holy Spirit. It was time that the disciples split up and go into the whole world. And those followers and disciples… are now “us”.
There's more to come!
In upcoming parts throughout this series we cover the Holy Spirit in Confirmation. We will continue to look at the Holy Spirit's power manifested and the difference that Pentecost makes. We will cover more on effects, repercussions, gifts and fruit. We will examine being called, sent, and going beyond human limits.
Later, we will explore walking with the Holy Spirit, how to respond, letting Him speak, God’s glory, the Holy Spirit now, the days ahead, and a Pentecost way of life.
Before we finish, we will look at some life-giving perspectives and how the Holy Spirit can bring scripture to life.
This series is based on our blog articles published on the Holy Spirit and Pentecost and Confirmation in previous years by Kathy Boh on this blog site at: trinitychurchsupply.com/blog
FOOTNOTES
(Please note that any part of a scripture quote in bold type is put there by this blog author.)
1 THE POWER OF PENTECOST: A three-part series, Part I, PENTECOST: ROOTS,PRICE, PROMISE AND WHAT HAPPENED, by Kathy Boh, June 7, 2017.
2 CONFIRMATION AND BEYOND: LIFE IN AND WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, posted by Kathy Boh on March 2, 2017.
3 Ibid.
4 Ibid, with some changes.
5 Ibid.
6 Ibid.
7 Ibid.
8 Ibid.
9 Ibid.
]]>THEN CAME PENTECOST:
THE PROMISE, THE ROOTS AND WHAT HAPPENED
As the Seventh Sunday of Easter celebrates the Ascension of the Lord on Sunday, May 24th, 2020, we continue to look toward Pentecost Sunday celebrated 7 days later, on May 31st. Our series takes an expansive view of that feast and its many repercussions in our lives.
In this series, we will be looking at the Holy Spirit's power manifested, and the difference that Pentecost makes. That includes effects, repercussions, fruit and gifts. He enables us to go beyond human limits, and fulfill in God's chosen ways being called and being sent.
Later, we will explore walking with the Holy Spirit, how to respond, letting Him speak, God’s glory, the Holy Spirit now, the days ahead, and a Pentecost way of life.
Before we finish, we will look at some life-giving perspectives and how the Holy Spirit can bring scripture to life.
PENTECOST: OLD TESTAMENT ROOTS
The name “Pentecost” was given to this event in connection with a biblical Jewish celebration— the feast of "Weeks", which was 7 weeks plus 1 day after Passover. In the New Testament it was called "Pentecost", and was being commemorated at the same time as the traditional Jewish feast. This harvest feast was the reason why so many Jews were in Jerusalem, which set the stage for Peter to give his impactful “Pentecost” speech to so many people. “Pent” indicates “5” in Greek, and the feast day occurred 50 days after another important Jewish feast, "Pesach". This feast was the “first fruits” of the earlier, barley grain harvest, at "Passover" time.
Our feast of Pentecost corresponds in timing with the Jewish festival of “Shavuot”. Shavuot marks the commemoration of God’s gift of the law to Moses on Mt Sinai. In Deuteronomy 16, we are told that it is, basically, 50 days after the first day of Passover, "Pesach", which marks the Israelite's Exodus from Egypt. Pentecost/Shavuot marks the beginning, or first-fruits, of the wheat harvest.
Giving God the "best" and the "first" was a common theme and practice, even according to law, for the Jews. This applied to offerings, tithes, and sacrificed animals. It was also a life lesson in keeping with the first commandment. The first of (many things) was dedicated to the Lord—acting out the choice to put Him first in all things, and in all ways, above everything.
The Jewish feast of Pentecost can be found several times in the Pentateuch—the first 5 books of the Old Testament—in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. Jews were required to go to Jerusalem to celebrate this feast. Consequently, many different pilgrims, speaking various languages, would be found visiting in Judea—as we see in Acts on the feast of Pentecost.
How fitting it is that the first harvest of souls was the result of Peter’s Spirit-led address, for Jesus used “wheat” and fields that were “ripe for harvest” as an analogy for souls. Marking that grain harvest time, Jesus was the “grain of wheat” that went into the ground and died.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” [Jn 12:24&91; We who believe and are saved are that fruit—the fruit—the harvest—of His saving act. His dying as the Son of (but co-equal with and co-existent with) God (the Father and God the Holy Spirit) to gain us our salvation also brought us the fruit of sonship (and daughterhood) with the Father. It is quite fitting that our “Pentecost” is 50 days after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the First Fruit of our own coming resurrection [I Cor 15:23&91;.
THE GRAIN OF WHEAT DIES… FOR THE HARVEST
As we mentioned above, Jesus is that grain of wheat that fell into the ground for us. Jesus' last Passover was the beginning of the Paschal mystery—the fullness of His Passion, death, burial and resurrection—and all of its “salvation” implications. For our good and gracious God paid a very high price to send His Son to die an excruciating death to pay the debt for our deliverance from death, hell and the grave through forgiveness of sin, deliverance from enemy oppression, and a promised resurrection and eternal life—lived and demonstrated by Jesus, and personally witnessed by many.
This same Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father—with that very same resurrected body that showed the scars of His crucifixion. This gloriously resurrected human body of Jesus Christ sits at the Father’s right hand.
Even before the human body was promised its own glorious resurrection in Jesus Christ, the God of all creation (and of the vast universe that some like to mistakenly call “god”), declared that the human body was made “in His image and likeness” and was “good.” The Bible tells us that it is not clear what ours will be like, but we have some hints in observing comments about Jesus, in the time before His Ascension. In His resurrected body, he could appear among His disciples without going through a door on Easter Sunday. He also had scars marking His wounds. Remember Jesus asking “doubting” Thomas to put his hand in His side? Again, Jesus is the first-fruit of our own, coming, promised resurrection.
Jesus knew human nature. He knew our needs and our lack. “But Jesus… did not need anyone to testify about human nature. He himself understood it well.” [Jn2:24-25&91; He knew and saw the need for the Father’s plan to send the Holy Spirit—the “Helper”.
PENTECOST: THE AWAITED, PROMISED DAY
Jesus told us of God the Father’s plan to send the Spirit to be with us after Jesus returned to heaven. He spoke extensively—as largely recorded in John’s gospel—of the coming of the Holy Spirit. Both the Father and Jesus gladly promised and proclaimed that they would send the Holy Spirit.
“ …The Advocate, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—He will teach you everything and remind you of all I have told you.” [John 14:26&91; …"He will guide you to all truth…and will declare to you the things that are coming.” [Jn 16:13&91;
27b “ Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. 28a You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’… 29 And now I have told you this before this happens, so that when it happens you may believe.” [Jn14:27-29&91;
“When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me…” [Jn 15:26&91; In fact, Jesus said, “If I do not go”, I cannot send the Holy Spirit. [Jn 16:7&91;
Jn. 16:7 But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you… 12 I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. 13 But when he comes, the spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. 14 He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. 15 Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.
In studying the scriptures on Jesus’ words concerning the Holy Spirit, it is astounding just how much Jesus sought to prepare and encourage the disciples. He wanted to comfort them regarding His leaving and the Holy Spirit’s coming—for the Holy Spirit would come in His manifested presence, comfort and guidance.
Jn 16:19b “…In a little while, you will not see me, and again…you will… 20 Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices, you will grieve, but your grief will become joy. 21 When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived, but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. 22 So you also are now in anguish.
But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. 23 On that day you will not question me about anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. 24 Until now you have not asked anything in my name; ask and you will receive so that your joy may be complete… 26 On that day you will ask in my name, and I do not tell you that I will ask the Father for you. 27 For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have come to believe that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world. Now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”
WASN’T JESUS ENOUGH? WHY SEND THE HOLY SPIRIT?
A new birth… A new covenant… A Savior Who paid a forever, indescribably horrific price for His brothers and sisters to come into fellowship with His— and now our—Father. The apostles heard the teaching—and saw and heard all the “in-between” actions and comments of Jesus. John said, “There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.” [Jn 21:25&91;
Let’s think about that. That’s a whole lot of actions… not to mention all His words accompanying all those actions. And… even though Jesus breathed on them on Resurrection Day and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit…” Peter still was not “ready” to publicly proclaim Christ. Neither were the rest of them. Neither would we have been… Because it would take more…
“While meeting with them” [blog comment: during the 40 days after the Resurrection&91; “he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the ‘promise of the Father’ about which you have heard me speak, for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” [Acts 1: 3-5&91;
There seems to be a difference between simply “receiving” the Holy Spirit—as on Resurrection Day, when Jesus breathed on them and said those words to them—and being “filled” with the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ case, “Heaven was opened… the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove…” [Luke 4:1; Luke 3:22&91; The physical (like bodily) form for the disciples was wind and fire. For Jesus it was a dove, with the words from the Father, saying, “You are my beloved son; with you I am well pleased.” The Holy Spirit— as He has throughout Bible history, and history since that time— continues to manifest in various ways, even with different signs. It’s one more way we need to let God be God, and realize that our Creator God is precise and often creative in His answers and actions. It is difficult to find a miracle that He performed in exactly the same way as another. An example would be His healing the blind.
If Jesus’ instruction, life and example were “enough”… If His breathing on them was enough, then Peter could have given his Pentecost speech after the Resurrection. He could have done it after he was chosen as leader. But he needed the power to fill the new role, and he needed a brand new boldness in the faith. He needed a more fluid tongue, greater confidence. It was Jesus, Himself, Who told His disciples to “wait”. He knew them. He knew human nature. He wanted to see them get more help.
Are we minimizing the power, love and mission of Jesus? What He said and could do… and did? No. Never. Are we recognizing His humility, forbearance and love? Yes.
Jesus had told the Pharisees, “You [scholars of the law&91; impose on people [weigh men down&91; with burdens that are hard to carry, but you yourselves do not lift a finger to help them.” [Luke 11:46&91; Jesus acted in quite the reverse way. He had clearly stated, “My yoke is easy and my burden light.” [Mt 11:30&91; Jesus said that the Pharisee leaders "did not enter into the kingdom of heaven themselves", but they would "shut off the kingdom of heaven from [other&91; people" ... "Nor [would they&91; allow those who were entering to go in." [Mt 23:13&91;
Jesus' heart moved in a different direction. He had the Good Shepherd’s care, and He had a mother-hen heart. “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” [Mt 23:37&91;
There are those who are accustomed to some more demanding expectations and less helpful ways. We may be able to imagine—instead of the gentle Shepherd’s promise—a potentially raging speech that could have been aimed at Peter or His other followers, that could begin with: “After all this time I have been with you: teaching, preaching, working miracles.After all you have seen and witnessed and heard me say. You still have not believed enough? You still have not taken action! You still can’t ‘just DO IT?’”
Jesus humbly—humbly and without “ego” arrogance—continually sought to fit into His Father’s plans. He also knew the power that the Holy Spirit had to strengthen and work from within, in one who would seek and receive His help. Jesus sought to give His followers “an easy yoke and a light burden”, in love and compassion toward them.
He wanted to see them receive more help; a strengthening support; a greater capacity after being filled with the gifts that He knew the Holy Spirit could give. He realized what was both necessary and missing in their experience and call—an encounter with, and the receiving of, the manifest power of the Holy Spirit working in their lives.
“Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.” (Mt 11:29 Amplified Classic)
So, if Jesus, “gentle and humble of heart”, lovingly thought that His disciples needed the Holy Spirit in order to speak and act in His footsteps, How much more do you think that we modern disciples might need every bit of the power of the Holy Spirit in our own lives?
PENTECOST COMES
“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.
Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. They were amazed and astonished, saying, “Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God. And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others were mocking and saying, “They are full of sweet wine.” [Acts 2:1-13, NASB&91;
This scriptural account describes very well the real event that happened in Jerusalem to those disciples who took Jesus’ words to heart and waited those long days for the coming of the Holy Spirit.
This above passage is actually quite remarkable. It is full of precise detail, including the languages of the various pilgrim visitors to Jerusalem who were hearing these disciples speak in their own native tongue. It is truly astonishing what happened that day. And it didn’t end there—not for the disciples, nor for us. We continue with Peter’s address to the crowds that gathered around them.
FISHERMAN TURNED ELOQUENT COMMUNICATOR
Peter was the apostle who denied Jesus—publicly, adamantly, repeatedly—three times. He was the apostle whom Jesus—also three times—asked, “Do you love me more than these?” [Jn 21:15-17&91; The “more than these” were the other disciples. Jesus was not one to incite jealousy or competition among His followers. He was, however, sensitive to Peter’s need for restoration and a clean slate—a new start. So Jesus lovingly, gently asked him that question (three times), to perhaps enable him to affirm clearly and verbally a different answer than the one given three times during Jesus' Passion.
This (presumably) minimally educated, new leader of an outlawed, persecuted band of believers living outside the realm of other established religious groups during those Roman times—who had recently vacillated in courage and in his profession of faith—now stood up and addressed a large throng of passers-by in the very city where his own religious leaders had crucified Jesus.
PETER ADDRESSES THE CROWD
“But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words. For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day; but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel:
‘And it shall be in the last days,’ God says,’
‘That I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind;
And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
And your young men shall see visions,
And your old men shall dream dreams;
Even on My bond slaves, both men and women,
I will in those days pour forth of My Spirit
And they shall prophesy. And I will grant wonders
in the sky above and on the earth below,
Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. The sun will be
turned into darkness, and the moon into blood,
Before the great and glorious day of the Lord shall come.
And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”
“Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know—this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. For David says of Him,
‘I saw the Lord always in my presence;
For He is at my right hand, so that I will not be
shaken. Therefore my heart was glad and my
tongue exulted…'
This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witness.
Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.” [Acts 2:1-13, NASB&91;
NEW BELIEVERS
Peter's speech had more impact than anyone could have imagined.
The crowd of unsuspecting listeners was immediately overwhelmed by his words. They were moved by the Holy Spirit, just as Peter himself was full of the Holy Spirit. God's power was operating in, through and around him. Listeners were touched deeply in their hearts and spirits.
“Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.” [Acts 2:37-41, NASB&91;
Imagine and observe the scene described. We have an unsuspecting crowd of visiting pilgrims and those native to Jerusalem who are responding to an unforeseen event. We have a previously frightened fisherman who gets up and addresses this vast throng of people— without the benefit of a microphone or an arena, a prepared speech or crowd handlers. He had no credentials to present to this dutifully religious crowd coming to Jerusalem for their solemn feast. And their religious leaders had just had this Jesus arrested, tortured and killed less than 2 months previous to this speech. Some, if not many, of these visitors would have been there for Passover— when Jesus was crucified and his followers dispersed into hiding. And we have a simple, impulsive fisherman (Peter) who (within a couple months of denying and abandoning his Rabbi and leader, Jesus) boldly wins over a vast crowd of strangers to that same Lord Jesus Christ.
And that’s not the end of the story. We will save the outcome and ramifications of Pentecost and this new band of followers in later parts of our series. And during this process, we will consider where we can fit into this picture.
In upcoming parts of this series we will continue to look at Holy Spirit power manifested and the difference that Pentecost makes. We will cover effects, repercussions, gifts and fruit. We will examine being called, sent, and going beyond human limits.
Later, we will explore walking with the Holy Spirit, how to respond, letting Him speak, God’s glory, the Holy Spirit now, the days ahead, and a Pentecost way of life.
Before we finish, we will look at some life-giving perspectives and how the Holy Spirit can bring scripture to life.
This series is based on our blog articles published on the Holy Spirit and Pentecost and Confirmation in previous years by Kathy Boh on this blog site at: trinitychurchsupply.com/blog
]]>DIVINE MERCY THEME IN PAPAL WRITINGS
Divine Mercy has been a recurring theme of recent popes. We take time here today and examine some of their writings. It connects to the Paschal season themes of past writings, and Divine Mercy Sunday, which we just celebrated liturgically.
DIVINE MERCY MEANS GOD’S LOVING MERCY TOWARDS US
John Paul II died on April 2, 2005, on the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday. Pope John Paul II had prepared a [“Regina Caeli”&91; message for Divine Mercy Sunday, April 3, 2005. Included were the words, “As a gift to humanity, which sometimes seems bewildered and overwhelmed by the power of evil, selfishness and fear,
...the Risen Lord offers his love that pardons, reconciles and reopens hearts and gives peace. How much the world needs to understand and accept Divine Mercy!”[p. 18&91; 1
“The Servant of God John Paul II had known and personally experienced the terrible tragedies of the 20th century and for a long time wondered what could stem the tide of evil. The answer could only be found in God’s love. In fact, only Divine Mercy is able to impose limitations on evil; only the almighty love of God can defeat the tyranny of the wicked and the destructive power of selfishness and hate. For this reason, during his last visit to Poland (August 17, 2002), he said on his return to the land of his birth:
‘Apart from the mercy of God there is no other source of hope for mankind’[Pope Benedict XVI, April 2, 2008, 3rd Anniversary Mass for St. John Paul’s death&91; [p.56&91; 2
Pope Benedict XVI continued the focus on Divine Mercy. “It’s important… to explain that Pope Benedict usually uses ‘God’s mercy’ and ‘Divine Mercy’ interchangeably to refer to the mystery of God’s mercy toward us… [He&91; speaks of the call to ‘be witnesses of God’s mercy’. In both cases he is speaking of the same reality, whether he calls it ‘God’s mercy’ or ‘Divine Mercy’.” [p.11&91; 3
Cardinal Christoph Schonborn “presented the idea for the [initial&91; Congress [World Congress on Divine Mercy&91; to Benedict in 2006… [O&91;n April 6, 2008, as president of the Congress, he” spoke of “being witnesses of ‘His immeasurable mercy.’ … ‘Be merciful as your Father is merciful.’ How many times in living and performing simple works of mercy have we been able to experience the closeness of the Lord. ‘The history of the success of Christianity is not a story of military triumphs or political triumphs,’ he continued. ‘It is rather the triumph of living mercy… "[p.140-42&91; 4
THE PASCHAL MYSTERY AND DIVINE MERCY
“… [Pope&91; Benedict has always placed mercy—God’s mercy—right at the heart of the paschal mystery… God in His mercy has taken the initiative in saving us through Christ. Our task is to trust in His mercy and be merciful to others ourselves.
Our mercy towards those in need is imperative, but it needs to flow from God’s mercy and grace toward us to have staying power in our lives.” [p.139-40&91; 5
“The greatest gift of Divine Mercy that each of us has been given is our salvation through the Passion, death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the good News of the Gospel that we are impelled to share as witnesses of God’s mercy. This is the main reason why God’s mercy is ‘a source of hope for every person and for the whole world,’ as Pope Benedict puts it…” [p. 45&91; 6
“…If we want to spread Divine Mercy… this Gospel of Mercy must be our central focus. We should always remember that we are not only called to proclaim it but to live it ourselves.” [p.45&91; 7
“On Calvary, Divine Mercy manifested his face of love and forgiveness for everyone. In the Upper Room after his Resurrection, Jesus entrusted the Apostles with the task of being ministers of this mercy, a source of reconciliation among men and women.” (Pope John Paul II, April 14, 2004, General Audience). 8
DIVINE MERCY VISION
“Now, in our day, Divine Mercy also refers to a particular message…given to St. Faustina by Jesus in the 1930’s… It is as if God has put a spotlight on our world situation through St. Faustina, emphasizing Divine mercy as an urgent message for our troubled time.” [p.11&91; 9
“On February 22, 1931, a young Polish nun, Sr. Faustina Kowalska, saw a vision of Jesus with rays of mercy streaming from the area of His Heart… He taught her that His mercy is unlimited and available even to the greatest sinners… On the Sunday after Easter, April 30, 2000 (Mercy Sunday), Sister Faustina was solemnly canonized in Rome by Pope John Paul II. The Pope also established Mercy Sunday worldwide.” 10
“This message and the devotions associated with it call us to trust in Jesus as our merciful Savior, to receive His mercy, and share that mercy with others.”[p.11&91; 11
ST. JOHN PAUL II
Pope John Paul II visited the tomb of St. Faustina in Poland at the Shrine of The Divine Mercy on June 7, 1997. “During that visit, [he&91; made these poignant remarks:
‘I come here to commend the concerns of the Church and of humanity to the merciful Christ. On the threshold of the third millennium, I come to entrust to him once more my Petrine ministry—“Jesus, I trust in you!” The message of Divine Mercy has always been near and dear to me. It is as if history had inscribed it in the tragic experience of World War II… This was also my own personal experience’…” [p.131-2&91; 12
“At the Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Lagiewniki, Poland, on May 27, 2006…
Pope Benedict [stressed&91; that when we personally trust in Jesus in a difficult situation such as suffering from a sickness, our trust is not passive. Rather, it is a concrete action that involves our exercise of all three of the theological virtues—faith, hope, and love." [p.68&91;13
TRIUMPH OF GOD’S MERCY
“…[D&91;uring his General Audience in St. Peter’s Square on October 18, 2006… Pope Benedict” spoke of the “betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot” and how it “reveals that God is ‘rich in mercy and forgiveness.’ “ [p.77&91; 14 “Pope Benedict… makes clear that Satan is the main adversary working through Judas.” [p.81&91; 15
“Here, it is helpful to remember the words of St. Paul: ‘For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens’ (Eph 6:12).
With all this in mind, we need to realize that we are engaged in spiritual warfare against Satan when we see evil at work in our lives, in the lives of others, and in our world. Jesus has the victory and is, indeed, seated at God’s right hand in glory. Here on earth, though, Satan seeks to oppose Him at every turn and tempts human beings to join him.” [p.82&91;16 (More on Spiritual Warfare can be found in the articles listed below.) 16b
“Jesus knows well that one can’t dialogue with Satan, because he is so cunning. For this reason, instead of dialoging, as Eve did, Jesus chooses to take refuge in the Word of God and to respond with the power of this Word.
Let us remind ourselves of this in the moment of temptation… not arguing with Satan but defending ourselves with the Word of God. And this will save us…
[When&91; Satan [gets&91; involved… what seemed at first like a calm trickle of water turn[s&91; into a flood of water. In this way, the temptation grows, infects others, and justifies itself.” [p.12-13&91; 17
Pope Benedict says that “God’s mercy is intended for all sinners… God alone is qualified to sit in judgment over human hearts… [I&91;n our battle against evil, we should be mindful that Satan, not human beings, is our main adversary. Therefore, we should engage in spiritual warfare for the salvation of souls.” 18
What we need to do goes beyond the “works of mercy” and into the realm of the Spirit of God and prayer—both for God’s mercy and, importantly, against destructive evil powers at work among us.
We often hear about “spiritual warfare”, and have seen in references above some differences in living in the spirit of the world and the devil, and of living according to the (Holy) Spirit of God. Frequently, we find ourselves ignorant of just what that means or entails. The following portrays what the scriptures describe as “spiritual warfare” tactics and weapons. These scriptures shed light on what enables us to live by the Spirit of God, and fight against unholy spirit influences and powers.
Continuing the scripture verses referring to Pope Francis’ [footnote 17&91; and Pope Benedict’s [footnote 18&91; comments about spiritual warfare [above&91;, we quote Eph. 6:10 and II Cor 10:4, respectively:
“Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power…” and “…[F&91;or the weapons of our battle are not of flesh but are enormously powerful, capable of destroying fortresses…”
And continuing the Ephesians verses: “Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. Therefore, put on the armor of God that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground.
So stand fast with the belt of truth, clothed in righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod with the gospel of peace. In all circumstances hold faith as a shield, to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit...” [Eph.6:11, 13-18&91;
ST. PATRICK LIVED MERCY AND “SPIRITUAL WARFARE”
One of many saints who lived and continually evidenced a rich flow of the Spirit of God throughout His ministry was St. Patrick.
Just last month, we wrote about St. Patrick’s amazing life. Throughout the research and writing of this particular blog, I cannot help but think of St. Patrick and the steadfast example of mercy and the power of God that he exhibited in his life in Ireland.
His heart was full of the Lord and overflowing with God’s mercy, as Patrick—with enormous passion and determination—traveled through Ireland.
He wrestled against the very real demonic powers every step of the way, being so like Christ in his motivation: desiring to see this Celtic people set “free”— freed from the bondages of idol worship and demonic oppression through the powerful political and religious control of the Druid priests. He worked and traveled and spoke and prayed in order to see them come into the kingdom of God.
St. Patrick’s life conveys to us that we do not have to be a first century apostle to show forth the power of the Holy Spirit and win decisively against evil powers around us. (See our posted blog article at trinitychurchsupply.com/blog. The date posted was 3-12-2020 for Part I and 3-13-2020 for Part II for THE SURPRISING ST. PATRICK. Part II also included his powerful prayer, "St. Patrick's Breastplate.")
EXPERIENCE GOD’S MERCY
“Pope Benedict develops this theme further. ‘To be able to perceive his mercy it suffices to have a heart that is alert. We are excessively inclined to notice only the daily effort that has been imposed upon [us&91; as children of Adam.’ [p.25&91; … 19 [In other words,&91;
...if we don’t keep our eyes on the Lord and His mercies, we become weighed down by our sinful tendencies as children of Adam. As a result, our spiritual vision becomes clouded, and we miss the blessing—the sense of gratitude and joy—that God intended for us.”[p.26&91; 20
“At the end of his General Audience, Pope Benedict encourages us to ‘never despair of God’s mercy,’ because the love and mercy of God will always win out in the end…. [p.83&91; 21 Pope Benedict is saying that Judas, in a mysterious way, advanced God’s ultimate purpose, which was and is to save us from our sins.
Thus, God in Christ thwarted the evil designs of Satan and of Judas in achieving precisely the good of our salvation! Inspired by this triumph of God’s mercy over evil, let’s decide anew to place our complete trust in Jesus, our Redeemer.” [p.84&91; 22
TRUST IN GOD’S MERCY
“God’s mercy is intended for all sinners… God alone is qualified to sit in judgment over human hearts…” [p.86&91; 23
[Pope Benedict&91; tells us :“[I&91;t is God’s mercy and not our own, which is a ‘source of hope for every person and for the whole world.’ Here, Pope Benedict is not simply splitting hairs. He is clearly placing the emphasis on God’s mercy toward us in our need, as the starting point.” [p.139&91; 24 [to repeat:&91;
“ … God in His mercy has taken the initiative in saving us through Christ. Our task is to trust in His mercy and be merciful to others ourselves. This does not belittle human mercy at all. Remember Benedict’s insightful image of the Good Samaritan being ‘struck in his soul by the lightning flash of mercy.’ Our mercy towards those in need is imperative, but it needs to flow from God’s mercy and grace toward us to have staying power in our lives.” [p.139-40&91; 25
TRUST IN JESUS
Even our doubts, fears, and incomplete trust—when surrendered to Christ and put under His blood-bought grace— can experience the greatness of His mercy and cleansing. Isaiah said, “Our just deeds are like polluted rags” [Isa 64:5&91;… But He can make up the difference for our failings.
It is His perfect righteousness, and not our own, on which we depend and lean, His price paid. Like the caring and watchful parent, God seeks (as the perfect parent/ father) to make up the difference between what we can be and do—and what we cannot/ are not—at any given stage of growth... when we seek to follow Him and obey Him with all of our hearts. “Cast all your worries [cares&91; on Him for He cares for you.” [1Pet 5:7&91;
“Pope Benedict [stressed&91; that when we personally trust in Jesus in a difficult situation such as suffering from a sickness, our trust is … a concrete action that involves …faith, hope, and love.” [p.68&91; 26
“… [T&91;he Divine Mercy authority Fr. George W. Kosicki, CSB, [from Why Mercy Sunday?, co-authored with David Came&91;: ‘Trust is our faith, hope and love in action. Trust is an action that takes in all three. It combines the past focus of our faith in what Jesus did, the present ‘now’ dimension of His love for us, and the future dimension of hope because of what He has prepared for us in heaven.
Trust, then, means to believe in Jesus, to love Him, and to hope in Him. It means to be totally absorbed in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, to rely completely upon Him. We desire to have His mind and thoughts, His will, His power, His Heart, and His total trust in the Father. To sum up, when we really trust in Jesus, we can say with the Apostle Paul: ‘It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me’. “(Gal 2:20) [p.69&91;27
“Christ did not cast himself down from the pinnacle of the Temple. He did not leap into the abyss. He did not tempt God. But he did descend into the abyss of death, into the night of abandonment, and into the desolation of the defenseless. He ventured this leap as an act of God’s love for men. And so he knew that, ultimately, when he leaped he could only fall into the kindly hands of the Father. This brings to light the real meaning of Psalm 91, which has to do with the right to the ultimate and unlimited trust of which the Psalm speaks:
If you follow the will of God, you know that in spite of all the terrible things that happen to you, you will never lose a final refuge. You know that the foundation of the world is love, so that even when no human being can or will help you, you may go on, trusting in the One who loves you.(Jesus of Nazareth, Doubleday, 2007, pp.37-38, emphasis in original).” [p.74&91; 27
“…Pope Benedict told us on Divine Mercy Sunday 2007: ‘Peace is the gift that Christ left his friends (cf. Jn 14:27) as a blessing destined for all men and women and for all peoples. It is not a peace according to a ‘worldly’ mentality, as an equilibrium of forces, but a new reality, fruit of God’s love, of his mercy.
It is the peace that Jesus earned by the price of his Blood and communicates to those who trust in him." [pp.66-7&91; 29
SHOWING THE MERCIFUL LOVE OF GOD
“The Church’s first truth is the love of Christ. The Church makes herself a servant of this love and mediates it to all people: a love that forgives and expresses itself in the gift of oneself. Consequently, whenever the Church is present, the mercy of the Father must be evident. " [blogger’s italics&91; 30
“Merciful Like the Father, therefore, is the ‘motto’ of this [2015-16 Jubilee Holy Year of Mercy&91;. In mercy, we find proof of how God loves us. He gives his entire self, always, freely, asking nothing in return. He comes to our aid whenever we call upon him…” 31
“Let us not forget the words of Saint John of the Cross:
‘as we prepare to leave this life,
we will be judged on the basis of love’…
The Church feels the urgent need to proclaim God’s mercy. Her life is authentic and credible only when she becomes a convincing herald of mercy. She knows that her primary task… is to introduce everyone to the great mystery of God’s mercy by contemplating the face of Christ.
The Church is called above all to be a credible witness to mercy, professing it and living it as the core of the revelation of Jesus Christ. From the heart of the Trinity, from the depths of the mystery of God, the great river of mercy wells up and overflows unceasingly. It is a spring that will never run dry…” 32
GOD’S MERCY—NOT SPENT!
“The Lord’s acts of mercy are not exhausted, his compassion is not spent; they are renewed each morning—great is your faithfulness!”
[Lam 3:22-23&91;
God's acts of mercy are so far beyond our comprehension, so let us simply be more intent on receiving the abundant mercy it pleases the Father to give, and worry less about understanding the mind-boggling generosity of our God!
Let us not miss “so great a salvation” that our Savior so willingly paid for with inscrutable suffering… Let us make sure—in each of our own lives—that this “Gift card” we (each, personally) have been given, does not remain unredeemed and unspent. The price has been fully paid!
Mercy was bought at the price of the life and death of the only truly Just One who ever lived… the One whose perfect Justice was triumphantly trumped by the vast richness of His mercy… the Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us gladly throw ourselves into the heart of this vast and willing mercy of God… continually…
Our next few blogs will be a four-part series on Pentecost and the Holy Spirit.
It includes:
Part I: PENTECOST: ROOTS, PRICE, PROMISE AND WHAT HAPPENED.
Part II will continue with WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES PENTECOST MAKE?
… looking at Holy Spirit power manifested, effects, repercussions, gifts and fruit. We will examine being called, sent, and going beyond human limits.
Part III will explore THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS: HOW SHALL WE RESPOND? We will explore receiving Him, how to respond, letting Him speak, God’s glory, the Holy Spirit now, the days ahead, and a Pentecost way of life.
Part IV: COMING TO THE LIVING WORD OF GOD… some life-giving perspectives... scripture brought to life by the Holy Spirit.
FOOTNOTES:
With rare exception, the words in "bold" print were emboldened by the blog author, for purposes of summary and emphasis.
MERCIFUL LOVE
AT THE HEART OF THE TRINITY
Seeing it. Receiving it. Walking in it.
“Father, forgive them,
for they do not know what they are doing.”
LOVING MERCY
[Luke 23:34&91; Remember that much-quoted line? Jesus spoke those words after an evening of tortuous agony, and night of continuous and horrific pain. It was soon after He cruelly had each limb roughly nailed to a cross, to hang and bleed and suffer until He died—but this forgiveness with tremendous understanding and mercy was on His mind and on His lips—while still crucified on that cross. To connect to that great mercy, our response needs to be an admission of both our guilt and of His payment of the price for us—the price that each of us deserved to pay.
“Jesus Christ is the face of the Father’s mercy… Mercy has become living and visible in Jesus of Nazareth, reaching its culmination in him. The Father, ‘rich in mercy’ (Eph 2;4) … revealed his name to Moses as ‘a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”(Exo 34:6) 1
“Jonah was reluctant to offer mercy to Israel’s enemy. He did not want the inhabitants of that great city, which had invaded his homeland, to be forgiven. Nineveh was a city so large that it mimicked the whole world and all the world’s sins..” 2
“With our eyes fixed on Jesus and his merciful gaze, we experience the love of the Most Holy Trinity. The mission Jesus received from the Father was that of revealing the mystery of divine love in its fullness. ‘God is love’ (I Jn 4:8-16)… This love has now been made visible and tangible in Jesus’ entire life. His person is nothing but love, a love given gratuitously… Everything in him speaks of mercy. Nothing in him is devoid of compassion…” 3
Jesus came to preach to Jerusalem God’s mercy, but that mercy did not endear him to those lording it over their own people.
Jesus would become like Jonah—cast out of the city and entombed for three days as Jonah was in the whale. The gospel warns us that we can disrespect the forgiveness being offered to us in the life and death of Jesus, but just like Jonah, we cannot hide. God’s tender mercy will find us.” 4
SHARING GOD’S MERCY
So, just how do we respond to this magnificent mercy? Personally, inwardly, in our relationship with God? And personally, outwardly, in our view and relationships with others?
“Pope Benedict encourages us to ‘never despair of God’s mercy,’ because the love and mercy of God will always win out in the end…” 5
“[At the&91; ‘first World Apostolic Congress on Divine Mercy’… [Pope Benedict&91; tells us to ‘go forth and be witnesses of God’s mercy,’ not our own human mercy…” for “it is God’s mercy and not our own, which is a ‘source of hope for every person and for the whole world.’ Here, Pope Benedict is not simply splitting hairs.
He is clearly placing the emphasis on God’s mercy towards us in our need, as the starting point.”6
In keeping with this “starting point”, Pope Francis believes that “In our parishes, communities, associations and movements, in a word,wherever there are Christians, everyone should find an oasis of mercy…” 7
BUILDING AN “OASIS” OF GOD’S MERCY
—A SAFE PLACE TO BE
An oasis is defined as a “pleasant or restful place to be… surrounded by something unpleasant” [Mirriam-Webster online dictionary&91;. As we find that we can depend less and less on the world around us to be warm, friendly and forgiving, we—as God’s own people—need to be even more aware of our call to kindness and mercy.
“Jesus affirms that mercy is not only an action of the Father, it becomes a criterion for ascertaining who his true children are." 8
Choosing to forgive and show mercy is simply to put our “being offended” (including both the offense and the offender) in God’s hands, for God is both just and merciful. Then we—as the Our Father tells us—can receive forgiveness for our own offenses. Otherwise, we are forgiven “our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”. If it is just “as we forgive”, what can we expect when we do not forgive?
Forgiving someone does not mean that we approve of what happened. The other person may not even be sorry. But we can still put them in God’s hands. We may have to set limits in that relationship, or make some clear statements to the person—every situation is different, requiring its own wisdom. As we act in love, we go first to God, and then act according to His wisdom. We can see how other advice and practical, true wisdom “dovetails” with His—including wise counsel, as necessary.
“In short, we are called to show mercy because mercy has first been shown to us.Pardoning offences becomes the clearest expression of merciful love, and for us Christians, it is an imperative from which we cannot excuse ourselves. To let go of anger, wrath, violence, and revenge are necessary conditions to living joyfully…” 8
There is much writing available on the “works of mercy” and other aspects of being an instrument of mercy in this needy world. But there are some other vital moves that we need to make if we are to see mercy prosper among us. We need to, in a sense, “weed our gardens” before expecting to see mercy richly grow.
As we seek to build a beautiful fabric of merciful love all around us, we need to also recognize some “destroyers” of mercy and love… that act like worms… like poison… like stink bombs—undermining our loving efforts and determined acts of kindness and mercy.
MERCY: WEEDING THE GARDEN
Pope Francis has mentioned some things specifically, and spoken passionately about envy and jealousy, slander and gossip. (Pope Francis has written several meditations, sermons, and writings on these subjects. Some earlier ones from 2013 and 2014, include: “In the sure hands of God”; “Slander kills”; “The threat of gossip”; “Hearts free of envy and jealousy”; “The temptation to gossip about others”; “Unmasking the hidden idols”; “A gentle, humble light full of love”…) 9
Sometimes we need to understand just how destructive envy, gossip and slander can be. We can get used to some things that—although some like to see them as lesser sins—they can, in their destructive power, be like termites destroying the supports of a home or a group or a relationship or a church body… or a cancer that quietly destroys a body... or a debilitating physical condition that greatly limits our activity, ability, and function. Many of us have seen groups, families, fellowships, neighborhoods, friendships and other relationships deeply damaged or destroyed by slander and gossip.
It may be helpful to get specific here, and clarify terms regarding slander and gossip. We will give some definitions.
Putting some dictionary definitions together,
Gossip, itself, can be described as a “rumor or report of an intimate nature” regarding “personal or sensational facts”. So, it involves telling sensitive or private (potentially false) information without rightful cause or respect for privacy.
Slander [according to the Mirriam-Webster online dictionary&91; is described as “false charges that defame or damage another’s reputation”; “a false and defamatory oral statement about another”. So, slander has an emphasis on a “false” report. But what if it is true? How do we handle that?
We acknowledge that there are times when—for the protection of a group or those in our care—unpleasant truth needs to be revealed and told to another/others when people need to be protected from harm (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, or situational) destruction or falsehoods. Mercy also exists for those who have been harmed. For example, doctors and nurses care for the sick and injured, and we all notice and appreciate loving, kind and merciful care. Rough care; ignoring injury; further damaging those who come for help would not easily be tolerated.
As true as this is in medical care, it is also true in regard to our spiritual care-givers. And whether we are speaking of medical or spiritual care, there are appropriate and loving ways to face, report and deal with both while truly seeking what is right and good and true. At times, not to do so would be quite harmful. Our loving and merciful God knows the difference and searches our hearts.
Pope Francis goes back to “gossip”, then slander. “Gossip divides communities. It destroys communities.". "It is the devil’s weapon. How many beautiful Christian communities have we seen go well but then the worm of jealousy and envy entered [one or&91; some of its members and sadness comes and they take offence." 10
“[Pope Francis&91; said, “We are sinners: all of us. We have sinned …But…”
"But slander is something else. It is a sin but also something more, for it wants to destroy God’s work and is spawned by something very nasty…by hatred. And the person who generates hatred is Satan." 11
As we have mentioned, Pope Francis repeatedly mentions “envy… gossip… slander…"
"One could call it a very unholy threesome.
It was envy that startedthe devil off on his unrelenting path of destruction." 12
Satan was jealous of mankind... and Cain was jealous and killed Abel, his brother, in the Garden of Eden...
Pope Francis explained, “The devil could not endure that man be superior to him, that man and woman be made in the image and likeness of God… God made us and he is our Father. He made us beautiful as he is beautiful, more beautiful than the angels, greater than the angels. The devil envied the greatness and the beauty of God’s rational creature, and through the devil’s envy, sin entered the world… This is why he made war on them and laid before them a road that leads to death.” 12
“A person who is under the influence of envy and jealousy kills. John the Apostle tells us: ‘whoever hates his brother is a murderer’. And someone who is envious, who is jealous, begins to hate his brother [31&91;… Let us pray… that the seed of jealousy not be sown among us… that envy have no place in our hearts…” 13
“… [When&91; Satan [gets&91; involved… what seemed at first like a calm trickle of water turn[s&91; into a flood of water. In this way, the temptation grows, infect others, and justifies itself…” 14
“A community, a family is destroyed by this envy that the devil teaches in the heart and causes one to speak ill of the other.”15
To repeat part: “…Slander is something else. It is a sin but also something more, for it wants to destroy God’s work and is spawned by something very nasty…by hatred. And the person who generates hatred is Satan. Falsehood and slander go hand in hand.” 16
Bringing up “falsehood” helps clarify a touchy subject.
God’s mercy is usually given when a person or a community turns from “wrong” to “right”—acknowledging the truth, humbly. (Biblically, there is a varying time-span as to when negative consequences fell for those who refused to repent. Sometimes it was years; sometimes, a generation; sometimes that very night, as in the “handwriting on the wall” in Babylon, when King Belshazzar, son of King Nebuchadnezzar, drank from the Jerusalem temple’s sacred vessels in a drunken banquet, “praising the gods of silver and gold”—after the Lord had shown his father great mercy and restoration after he had humbly repented and “blessed and glorified the Most High”. [Dan. 4:31-34; 5:1-6, 17-30&91;)
Divine Mercy involves God’s forgiveness and His love. We can look at scriptures that say “I (Jesus) am the Way, the Truth and the Life”… and “God is Love” (as the apostle John wrote) and see that our Loving God is in the process of showing us the Way where we can find Life. And He fills the Bible with messages, demonstrating that a healthy, loving holy life is going to involve Him and be based on His truth. Bible history’s passages and stories evidence God’s people’s rise and fall accordingly. His word does not fail to cover life’s 24/7 topics regarding how to be and what to do in order to live well.
AUTHENTIC FOUNDATION:
SPEAKING AND LIVING THE TRUTH IN LOVE
There are those who can feel guilty reporting a crime, or an incident where someone or a group of people have been truly harmed. This becomes even more difficult when persons of power and authority are abusing their power, position, title, authority and influence. This abuse can manifest in physical ways or in spiritual, intellectual and moral ways. It can become a critical issue when it is God’s own people that are being misled (by falsehood), malformed in Bible and moral truth, or misled in religious doctrines. This issue remained of primary importance to Pope Benedict, even as he served the church and Pope John Paul II as Prefect of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith.
Pope Francis himself (above) spoke of “destroying God’s work”. Partial application was given in his words above. But “God’s work” is a large subject. As we continue to pray for our leaders as God has exhorted us to do, we add hope to our continued prayer for the pope and other church hierarchy. We pray thatthe truth and love of “God’s work” on earth, God’s word in the Bible and of “His [God’s&91; kingdom come” become manifested in every aspect of Pope Francis’ papacy, his decisions, and his spoken and written words.
There has never been a time when Our Lord’s written and spoken words need to be more heard, valued and lived out—without being disregarded, changed or slandered in any way that violates the truth and the endless love of God. The “world” (and its ways/values/morals) does this continually, but, though we are “in” this world, we are not “of” this world. We in the Church and the Body of Christ across the globe are called to believe and live out God’s sacred word.
The truth is, it hurts Jesus and the Father deeply when their “lambs and sheep” are misled and mis-taught, mistreated and abused—physically, morally, or spiritually. It was Jesus who criticized religious leaders in His day [in Matt 15:6b-9 and Mark 7:7&91; for
“You have nullified the word of God for the sake of your tradition… well did Isaiah prophesy about you when he said: ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts [the commands of men&91; as doctrine.” The long line of saints through our history, including the recent (St.) Pope John Paul II, knew the truth of this. Pope Benedict devoted his life to that authentic foundation.
Paul says in Ephesians,
“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and the teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” [Eph 4:11-16&91;
Love and truth are bound up in the intrinsic nature of God, Himself—Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Scripture is full of references. “God is love”. “I am the …Truth…” “The Holy Spirit, the spirit of truth, will lead you into all truth…” God’s ‘loving Father-heart’ and Jesus’ Good Shepherd and “mother hen” heart—along with the “Comforter/ Spirit of truth” care deeply how their sheep are tended and fed. We can do no less if—and as—we pray, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” We know those words come from Jesus’ particular instruction on how to pray, as He formed the prayer, the “Our Father”.
Pope Francis said, “Jesus warns us that the devil is a ‘liar and the father of lies’ and ‘a murderer from the beginning’. ‘You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.’ (Jn 8:44)” 17
“Pope Francis shows how these lies cause harm to individuals and communities.” He was specifically speaking about slander and gossip. But we know that the devil’s lies are many and varied and all are destructive and misleading. We need to continually seek to discern the truth (by matching it with what God says in His written scriptures and by what moral doctrine and tradition teaches).
Pope Francis continues:
“We are used to gossip, to spreading rumors, and we often transform our communities as well as our family into ‘hell’ where this kind of crime leads to killing one’s brother and sister with one’s tongue is manifest…” The Apostle John (1Jn 3:15) tells us that anyone who hates his brother is a murderer. …” 18
WHAT SPIRIT ARE WE FOLLOWING?
Pope Francis has explained that it is easy to be drawn into the “spirit of the world" instead of being led by the Spirit of God, and into mercy…” 19
“It is the spirit of the world that cunningly entices us to idolatry… It is not enough to say, ‘I believe in one God’. We must ask ourselves how to put this commandment into practice. In fact too often we continue to live as though he were not the one God…” 20
Here Pope Francis is specifically speaking against “idolatry” ( as it says in the first commandment, “I am the Lord your God …You shall not have other gods beside me. You shall not make for yourself an idol… or… bow down before them or serve them.” [Exo 20: 2-5&91;) As Jesus put it, “Love the Lord you God with all your heart and with all your soul and all your strength and with all your mind…” [Luke 10:27, Mark 12:30&91;
In the early 20th century and in former generations, we did not hear too much about “false gods”. But as the world becomes less Christ-centered and more multi-cultural-minded and tries to incorporate other religions and new age thought into Christianity, the falsehoods and false gods become a noteworthy issue.
In addition, we in the modern world can make many things an idol—literally anything we place above God, Himself, in what we adore or value or seek after or follow or consider most important to us.
Pope Francis continues.
“[T&91;he danger of idolatry [is&91; brought to us with the spirit of the world. And Jesus was quite clear about this… I am sure that none of us stands before a tree to worship it as an idol…”
[blogger’s note: Some primitive cultures still do honor such idols, as in the Amazon. Our call is to follow the first commandment in heart, word, thought, and behavior, “speaking the truth in love”. Because idolatry is real—whether tangible and physical, or whether it marks choices and preferences that are mental, emotional, or priority oriented.&91;
“But idolatry is subtle; we have our hidden idols and the road through life to arrive at the kingdom of God, to be near it, entails unearthing hidden idols… The road of love for God is a road of love, a road of faithfulness.” (L’O June 12, 2013) 20
(Please see below for further elaborating comments on modern day idolatry in footnote # 21)
“When we do not profess Jesus Christ, we profess the worldliness of the devil, a demonic worldliness…
We can [do&91; as much as we want, we can build many things, but if we do not profess Jesus Christ, things go wrong. We may become a charitable [organization&91;, but not the Church, the Bride of the Lord. The same thing happens to children on the beach when they build sand castles: everything is swept away, there is no solidity…" (Homily, Sistine Chapel, Mar 14, 2013) 21/22>>22
So, it becomes obvious that there are some diametrically opposed choices we can make. We can be easily blinded to some of those choices, seeing only what is going on in superficial, surface kind of ways.
How, then, DO we build on “solid” ground, and not build “sandcastles”?
FROM THE FATHER, THROUGH THE SON, BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
Let’s look again, for a moment, as if from the beginning, at this “Jesus Christ” that Pope Francis said (earlier in this article, above) we need to profess…
Jesus came to this earth through, for and by God’s mercy. He literally “counted the cost” and released us from the chains of sin and death. Jesus was willing to die a horrible death for us, to pay the price for salvation (and every grace and blessing that comes from that). But that wasn’t enough help for God to give his beloved children.
In continued, great mercy and generosity, He and the Father had planned to send the Holy Spirit to remain with us. “…Now I am going to the one who sent me… But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts. But I tell the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” (Jn.16:5-7)
The Holy Spirit comes to enliven and bring to life the words and the heart, the Spirit and the person of Jesus, Himself. He told us that the Spirit would be a “Comforter” in the midst of the tribulations that Jesus said we would surely face; the Holy Spirit could enable us to manifest Jesus’ overcoming power and the peace that Jesus spoke of in regard to the troubles of this world. (Jn. 16:33)
The Holy Spirit was sent to empower us to know and understand the truth; to pray with and through us when we do not know how to pray; the power to win every battle against the enemy; and more… He enables us to both proclaim and to show the mercy of God.
FINAL THOUGHTS
So, again we ask, as we did at the beginning: Just how do we respond to this magnificent mercy? Personally, inwardly, in our relationship with God, how? And personally, outwardly, in our beliefs, perspectives, behaviors and relationships with others?
Pope Francis says:
"Let us ask the Lord to show us and the world the beauty… and fullness of treating each other with kindness, with respect…
Let us ask for this grace for us all…to show us the beauty and the fullness of this new life, of being born of the Spirit…” 23
Let us recognize the need to ask the Lord for help in showing His mercy. Let us start there. Let us ask for the help of the Holy Spirit in searching out our own hearts and in preparing the groundwork for such loving, mercy-filled kindness.
One way or another, let us go back to Him—Who is so rich in mercy towards us— for both the way and the grace to see and be what we need to be.
We have more coming up in DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY, PART III:
THE DIVINE MERCY THEME IN PAPAL WRITINGS. Join us!
FOOTNOTES
1“Introduction: An Invitation to Mercy, by Pope Francis” from BEAUTIFUL MERCY, by Dynamic Catholic, p. 9
2THE RELUCTANT PROPHET
3“Introduction…”, p. 11
4THE RELUCTANT PROPHET
5POPE BENEDICT’S DIVINE MERCY MANDATE, by David Came, Marian Press, Stockbridge, MA 01263, p. 83
6 Ibid, p. 139
7 “Introduction…”
8 Ibid, p.13
9 WHO IS THE DEVIL? WHAT POPE FRANCIS SAYS, by Rev. Nick Donnelly, pp. 11-14, 31, 42, 43
10 Ibid, p. 31
11 Ibid, p. 14
12 Ibid, p. 13
13 Ibid, pp. 31-32
14 Ibid, p. 12
15 Ibid, p. 14
16 Ibid
17 Ibid
18 Ibid
19 Ibid, pp. 18-22
20 Ibid, pp. 33-34
21 Idolatry
MODERN IDOLATRY
It has been very tempting—particularly in current history— to change or ignore God’s word to try to appeal to our modern times and all its individuality, its confusion, and all the innumerable, self-determined moral codes that we can find. It is more in tune with our times and more convenient to proclaim God to be “out-of-date” and to see His word as “behind the times”, rather than to see ourselves as blindly fitting into our culture’s anti-Christian and un-Christian opinions, values and mores.
It is easier to find fault with God (the triune God of all past, present and future, unending) for His revealed scriptures (as being culturally ancient and inapplicable to our advanced, technological intelligence) than face that our culture is losing its conviction and certainty regarding morality and truth.
The more we follow that path, the more we can become ignorantly unaware, or self-focused, or arrogant in thought, or rebelliously (or misguidedly) independent regarding moral absolutes and the truth that God has revealed and that traditional Christian teaching has long believed, held fast and firmly proclaimed. Jesus answered the centuries old question about the “truth”. “I am the Way the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” [Jn 14:6&91;
It may be too overwhelming to realize that, as a people, we are growing colder regarding love (both love toward others and love toward God). Instead, we are more easily exalting “self” to the detriment of loving God and others the way that Jesus taught. Are we the “frogs in hot water”—water that is being heated to the boiling point without noticing or moving?
Or, in an opposite way, is our “love growing cold”? “…Because of the increase of evildoing, the love of many will grow cold.” [Mt 24:12b&91; Is our love toward God and others being slowly being frozen? Our times and all of the problems we face can feel overwhelming. We can decide to stay the course and look to the Lord and follow Him—or we can give in to all the negative pressures. God’s people, a needy world, our children and their children, the Church (and God, Himself) await our decision(s), and appreciate our sacrificial choices.
22 WHO IS THE DEVIL? WHAT POPE FRANCIS SAYS, by Rev. Nick Donnelly, p. 19
23 Ibid., p.3
This blog is partially based on one posted by Kathy Boh on 20th Mar 2018
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