The Holy Spirit is the Master of Prayer.

"Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge; I say to the LORD, “My Lord are you.”
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot."
(Psalm 16: 1-2).

Psalm 16 is one of the Messianic Psalm.  The above verses give us an insight into the prayer of Jesus. Do you sense the tenderness and complete dependence in the tone?  A clue to how we should pray. The Holy Spirit is the Master of Prayer and invites us into the School of Prayer.

"I bless the LORD who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the LORD ever before me with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed."  (Psalm 16: 5,7-8 RM)

A common experience of people is the inspiration and guidance they receive at some wakeful times during the night. Don’t waste such opportunity.  Seek counsel from the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is the Source of inspiration and power.

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Most blessed are you among women.

"During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah,  where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth."  (Luke 1: 39 - 40 NABRE)

“Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.   And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?"  (Luke 1: 42 - 43)

We celebrate the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth today.  Elizabeth filled with the Holy Spirit called Mary "the mother of my Lord."

"Almighty, ever-living God,
who, while the Blessed Virgin Mary was carrying your Son in her womb,
inspired her to visit Elizabeth,
grant us, we pray, that, faithful to the promptings of the Spirit,
we may magnify your greatness
with the Virgin Mary at all times."  (Collect in the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary).

We know from the prayer above that Mary was inspired by the Holy Spirit to visit Elizabeth.  You may ask:  How does the Church know her articles of Faith about Mary? The Holy Spirit leads, inspires and teaches the Church.  (John 16: 13).

"Blessed are you who believed  that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”  (Luke 1: 45).

The faith of Mary reminds us of that of Abraham who believed against hope. (Romans 4: 18)

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Most blessed are you among women.

"During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah,  where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth."  (Luke 1: 39 - 40 NABRE)

“Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.   And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?"  (Luke 1: 42 - 43)

We celebrate the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth today.  Elizabeth filled with the Holy Spirit called Mary "the mother of my Lord."

"Almighty, ever-living God,
who, while the Blessed Virgin Mary was carrying your Son in her womb,
inspired her to visit Elizabeth,
grant us, we pray, that, faithful to the promptings of the Spirit,
we may magnify your greatness
with the Virgin Mary at all times."  (Collect in the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary).

We know from the prayer above that Mary was inspired by the Holy Spirit to visit Elizabeth.  You may ask:  How does the Church know her articles of Faith on Mary? The Holy Spirit leads and inspires the Church.  (John 16: 13).

"Blessed are you who believed  that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”  (Luke 1: 45).

The faith of Mary reminds us of that of Abraham who believed against hope. (Romans 4: 18)

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Have you embraced the entire Gospel of grace and mercy?

"Yet I consider life of no importance to me, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to bear witness to the gospel of God’s grace."  (Acts 20: 24 NABRE).

What do you desire most in your life?  For many people it is long life, health and prosperity.  When God asked Solomon to ask for whatever he wants, Solomon chose wisdom and God is pleased.  (2 Chronicles 1: 7).  Paul chose to accomplish the plan set for him by the Lord Jesus.  That is, "to bear witness to the Gospel of God’s grace." (Acts 20: 24).  Paul served the Lord with such an admirable singleness of purpose.

Wherever Paul preached, he did not shrink to proclaim the entire plan of God.  That is, grace and mercy through Jesus Christ.

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Are you sure you received the Holy Spirit when you became believer?

“Did you receive the holy Spirit when you became believers?” (Acts 19: 2 NABRE)

When Paul visited Ephesus in his missionary journey, he met a group of disciples and noticed that something was missing in their behavior and articulation of the faith.  So Paul asked the above question.  How did this group answer Paul?

“We have never even heard that there is a holy Spirit.”  (Acts 19: 2).
Are you certain you have the Holy Spirit or do you presume you do? Paul's remedy was quick.  "And when Paul laid [his] hands on them, the holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied."  (Acts 19: 6).

If you received the Holy Spirit when you became believer, do you know your gifts?

What are the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit?
1.  Wisdom
2.  Understanding
3.  Counsel
4.  Fortitude
5.  Knowledge
6.  Piety
7.  Fear of God

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How much do you desire and pray for the Holy Spirit?

"All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers."  (Acts 1: 14 NABRE)

Before the Ascension of Jesus, He instructed His own not to leave Jerusalem but to pray and wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit.  In the Upper Room, the Apostles, Mary and some women huddled together in prayer as they waited for the Holy Spirit to come as promised by Jesus.

Today is Ascension Sunday, (transferred from Thursday for pastoral reasons). Today is exactly one week to the Solemnity of Pentecost.  The Holy Spirit is the dominant theme of the Scripture readings and prayers this coming week.  We shall focus today on the gift of Courage, one of the 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

"The Spirit God has given us is no cowardly spirit, but rather one that makes us strong, loving and wise." 
(1 Timothy 1:7)

"Goethe, the eminent German philosopher once said, "Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid." Norman Vincent Peale agreed: "Boldness is the activator of power from the mind."

The Holy Spirit is the Source of inspiration, power and boldness.
Pray for the gift of courage and boldness.

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Whatever you ask the Father in my name, He will give you.

"Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.   Until now you have not asked anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete."   (John 16: 23 - 24 NABRE).

Do you know the pure joy of answered prayer? In my opinion, there is nothing as delightful as the happiness you feel when your prayer is answered.

In this Season of Easter which will end on June 4th with the Solemnity of Pentecost, every Christian has the opportunity to experience the in-filling of the Holy Spirit.  The Novena of the Holy Spirit started today, Friday, the 26th of May. It is not too late to join.  If you google Pentecost Novena, you will find many to satisfy every taste.

The Holy Spirit is the Abundant life that Jesus spoke about in John 10: 10.  In our key Scripture today,  (John 16: 23 - 24) Jesus promises to fulfill any request made to the Father in His name. In Luke 11: 13, Jesus made this astonishing statement:

"If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"  (Luke 11: 13).

Ask for the Holy Spirit and experience the pure joy of answered prayer and thereafter enjoy Abundant life.

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No one can take this joy from you.

"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."  (John 16: 21 NABRE)

Christian hope never fails.
"Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."  (Romans 5: 5 AMP)

Patience obtains all things.
"Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains."  (James 5: 7).
See how the pregnant woman waits patiently for 9 months for her due date.

So if you weep and mourn while the world rejoices, know without a doubt that your grief will become joy.  (John 16: 20).

And no one can take away your great joy. (John 16: 22)

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Behold I am with you always.

"I, the LORD, am with you always, until the end of the world."  (Matthew 28: 20 RM)

You may call the above Scripture the gift of the Presence.  How do we experience here and now the Presence of Jesus?  Let us consider a few of the modes of the Presence of Jesus.

#1.  Through the indwelling Holy Spirit.
#2.  Through the word of God. When the Gospel is proclaimed during the Eucharistic Liturgy, the Church teaches that Jesus Himself is speaking to His people. 
#3.  We experience Jesus when we receive Him in the Eucharist. In the Eucharist, Jesus is truly present, Body, Soul and Divinity.
#4. We experience the Presence of Jesus in the poor.   When you do some favor to the least of Jesus' brothers and sisters, you do it for Jesus. (Matthew 25: 40)

At the beginning of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is named Emmanuel, a name that means God with us. (Matthew 1: 23).  At the end of the Gospel, Jesus promises His disciples the gift of His Presence.

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The Father will give you another Advocate to be with you always.

"But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth."  (John 16: 13 NABRE).

Has the Spirit of truth guided the Church to all truth? Absolutely.  Let us consider five of these truths:

#1.  The Creed:  The Fathers of the Church met in 325 AD in Nicaea to hammer out the main doctrines of the Church.  The Holy Spirit was at work in the Council.
#2.  The Cross.  No cross. No crown. (Luke 24: 26).
#3.  Prayer is a vital necessity. (Luke 18: 1).
#4.  Eucharist:  "Take and eat; this is my body."  (Matthew 26: 26; Mark 14: 22; Luke 22: 19; 1 Corinthians 11: 24) And then, "Do this in memory of me."
#5.  The Four Last Things:  Death, Judgment, Heaven, Hell. (CCC  1021  -  1022, etc)

"Stir into flame the gift of God that you have through  the imposition of my hands.” (1 Timothy 1: 6)

The Solemnity of Pentecost is June 4, 2017.

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Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.

 “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”  And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you and your household will be saved.”   So they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to everyone in his house.... "  then he and all his family were baptized at once."  (Acts 16: 30 - 32, 33 NABRE).

"I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart, for  you have heard the words of my mouth; in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise; I will worship at your holy temple, and give thanks to your name."  (Psalm 138: 1 - 2)

"The LORD will complete what he has done for me; your kindness, O LORD, endures forever."  (Psalm 138:  7 - 8)

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I will bear witness to You in the world O Lord.

 “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.    And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning."  (John 15: 26 NABRE).

Jesus says that His disciples will testify to Him.  Testify = Witness.  Are you ready for this?
First, how do we testify to Jesus?
By our life and by words.  A couple of days ago, we saw a picture of the character of Jesus through the 12 fruits of the Holy Spirit.  If you apply those fruits in your daily life, you witness to Jesus.  And people notice.

Your lifestyle no matter how perfect it is, may never be enough to close the deal. You must add a critical ingredient.  Words!  "So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ."  (Romans 10: 17 NLT).  Yes indeed. You must share the Good News that is Jesus.

The Apostle Peter nails in the argument.  Your friends and neighbors notice the peace and joy in your life and wonder why and how.   "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."  (1 Peter 3: 15).

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Give Jesus the 1st Place in your life.

"Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts."  (1 Peter 3: 15 NABRE)

This is the word to live by this Sunday.  What does it mean to sanctify Jesus as Lord in our hearts? How do we do it?

1.  Revere Jesus as the Lord of your life.
2.  Allow Jesus to reign over your Time, Talent and Treasure.
3.  Worship Christ as Lord in your life.
4.  Trust yourself to Christ as Lord.

To summarize, give Jesus the First Place in your life.

If you do this, Jesus will meet every desire of your heart.  (Matthew 6:  33, Psalm 37: 4)

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No slave is greater than the master.

“If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.  If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you."  (John 15: 18 - 19 NABRE)

The world will hate you for loving Jesus.  What do you do? Never compromise with the world. They will only use and discard you. The Scriptures below will strengthen your heart and mind.

"Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect."  (Romans 12: 2)

“No one can serve two  masters.  He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."  (Matthew 6: 24)

 "Adulterers! Do you not know that to be a lover of the world means enmity with God? Therefore, whoever wants to be a lover of the world makes himself an enemy of God."  (James 4: 4).

"Do not be yoked with those who are different, with unbelievers.  For what partnership do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?   What accord has Christ with Beliar? Or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?"  (2 Corinthians 6: 14 - 15)

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The Holy Spirit is the Source of Abundant life promised by Jesus.

Veni Sancte Spiritu

The Holy Spirit is that Source of Abundant life that Jesus promised in John 10: 10.  Did you know that?
Pentecost is near. Don't miss the Opportunity!

Come, Holy Spirit, come!
And from your celestial home
Shed a ray of light divine!
Come, Father of the poor!
Come, source of all our store!
Come, within our bosoms shine.
You, of comforters the best;
You, the soul's most welcome guest;
Sweet refreshment here below;
In our labor, rest most sweet;
Grateful coolness in the heat;
Solace in the midst of woe.
O most blessed Light divine,
Shine within these hearts of yours,
And our inmost being fill!
Where you are not, we have naught
Nothing good in deed or thought,
Nothing free from taint of ill.
Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness pour your dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away:
Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray.
On the faithful, who adore
And confess you, evermore
In your sevenfold gift descend;
Give them virtue's sure reward;
Give them your salvation, Lord;
Give them joys that never end. Amen. Alleluia.

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You are my friends. I have called you friends.

"You are my friends if you do what I command you.... I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father."  (John 15: 14, 15 NABRE).

Jesus calls us His intimate friends, His closest friends.  Let us consider how Scripture characterizes true friendship:

"Faithful friends are beyond price,
no amount can balance their worth.
Faithful friends are life-saving medicine; those who fear God will find them.  Those who fear the Lord enjoy stable friendship, for as they are, so will their neighbors be."  (Sirach 6: 15 - 17 NABRE)

We are truly friends and companions of Jesus, the true and faithful Witness.

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If you obey my commandments, you will remain in my embrace.

"As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love."  (John 15: 9 NABRE)

How do we abide in the love of Jesus?
Jesus wants us to:
Feel at home in His love.
Feel comfortable about His loving us radically.
Never never doubt His love for you.
Know that nothing, nothing can ever separate you from His love.

How do you enjoy this embrace of Jesus forever?
"If you keep My commandments and obey My teaching, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love."  (John 15: 10)

The Holy Spirit, the Comforter and our Advocate is always present to help us.

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Whoever remains in me will bear much fruit.

"I am the true Vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.    Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that continues to bear fruit, He [repeatedly] prunes, so that it will bear more fruit [even richer and finer fruit]."  (John 15: 1 - 2 AMP)

What is pruning? Trimming and cleaning.  Painful process. Pruning is done only to branches that show potential.  Are you being pruned? Rejoice and laugh for joy. You are destined to bear much fruit in the Kingdom.

Opposite of fruitfulness is barrenness.  A barren womb gives birth to wind. (Isaiah 26: 18).

What areas of your life need pruning? Consider the following:
Unbelief, worry, fear, unforgiveness, lust, love of money, prayerlessness, etc.

What are the fruits of a pruned branch?

Charity
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Generosity
8. Gentleness
9. Faithfulness
10. Modesty
11. Self-control
12. Chastity

The above fruits represent the exact character of Jesus Christ.

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Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.

"Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]"  (John 14: 27 AMP)

What is the peace of Christ?
Blessed calm and assurance that all is well and all shall be well because Jesus is in control.  God Never Fails?

How do we obtain this peace, this gracious Shalom?
Completely trust Jesus for Peace. Pray constantly for peace of heart, mind and body.  Pray for financial peace.

Can we lose this peace?
Yes. Here is how:  Living in sin and Unbelief.

Where do I feel this peace?
Health, Family, Money, Job, Possessions and Tools, Food, Future.

When do I feel this peace?
Always. In sickness or health, in richness or poverty, popular or unpopular.  (Philippians 4: 12)

The peace of Christ is beyond all understanding. (Philippians 4: 6 - 7)

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The Holy Spirit will teach you everything.

"The Advocate, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name — he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you."  (John 14: 26 NABRE)

The Holy Spirit is the Abundant life promised by Jesus. (John 10: 10)
He is the Spirit of power and truth. The Holy Spirit is the Voice that speaks in court.

Last week, we saw the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit.  Below are the 12 fruits of the Holy Spirit:

1. Charity
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Generosity
8. Gentleness
9. Faithfulness
10. Modesty
11. Self-control
12. Chastity

O Holy Spirit of Light and Love, may our lives faithfully imitate the life and virtues of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him with the Father and You, Divine Spirit, be honor and glory forever. Amen.

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