WE SALUTE ST PHILIP NERI, THE APOSTLE OF JOY.
THE MEMORIAL OF ST PHILIP NERI, PRIEST.
THE GOODNEWS:
"Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.
“I have told you this so that you may not fall away. They will expel you from the synagogues; in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God. They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me. I have told you this so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you.” (John 15: 26 - 16: 4).
Monday May 26th in the 6th Week in the Easter Season is the Memorial of St Philip Neri, Priest. (1515 - 1595), Italian Priest.
St Philip Neri was an extraordinary priest filled with the Holy Spirit and ecstatic joy.
He founded the Congregation of the Oratory, the same religious community that gave the Church St John Henry Newman. St Philip Neri converted thousands through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
He was a great catechist and spiritual director. He was noted for his joyful and cheerful disposition which attracted thousands to him.
One of my favorite quotes from Philip is:
"One of the very best means of obtaining humility is sincere and frequent confession."
"And you also will testify..." Jesus predicted about you and me in today's Gospel.
What does this mean for you and for me? Testify is another word for witness which comes from the Greek word MARTYR. Jesus is saying that in small ways and big ways, we shall be martyrs for Him every day.
“I have told you this so that you may not fall away. They will expel you from the synagogues; in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God. They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me. I have told you this so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you.”
Do not be frightened of being a martyr for Jesus in your work, home, church and public places. This is why Jesus said that the Holy Spirit will help us to bear witness to Him. Without the Holy Spirit, no one can be a martyr for Jesus.
WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?
HE IS THE THIRD PERSON OF THE BLESSED TRINITY. HE IS THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH. THE LORD AND GIVER OF ABUNDANT LIFE. HE IS OUR ADVOCATE. THE VOICE THAT SPEAKS IN COURT FOR US. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE GREAT FRIEND THAT IS CLOSER TO US THAN OUR GARMENT.
Example of those who witnessed to Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit after Pentecost:
Peter, Paul, John, Stephen, Barnabas, James. These saints are mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles.
In today's first Reading from Acts 16: 11 - 16, a wealthy business woman of Philippi named Lydia witnessed to Jesus after she was baptized by St Paul.
The Cross and Martyrdom are intrinsic to the very essence of Christianity. "It was ordained that the Christ should suffer and rise from the dead, and so enter into his glory." (Luke 24: 46, 26). So must we.
“The Magnificat is Our Lady’s Prayer of thanks. She can help us to love Jesus best; she is the one who can show us the shortest way to Jesus. Mary was the one whose intercession led Jesus to work the first miracle. ‘They have no wine,’ she said to Jesus. ‘Do whatever he tells you,’ she said to the servants." (Mother St Teresa of Kolkata).
The Church honors the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Month of May.
Honor Mary through the Holy Rosary, Litany, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Consecration to The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pilgrimages, etc.
For the Litany, 15 Promises of Mary, Consecration Prayer, etc and Prayer intentions click the link below:
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