Abound in love

“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”

Love abounding more and more with knowledge and discernment – we are talking about the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit pours love into our hearts and teaches us how to love with the love of Jesus Christ. For love to abound in our hearts, we must grow in the Holy Spirit. St. Paul is praying for the Philippians to abound in love with knowledge and discernment. This prayer is also for me and for you. If I abound in love with knowledge and discernment, then I am equipped for my ministry.

“I have chosen you from the world to go and bear fruit that will last.” (John 15: 16, 19)

“I will bear a witness to you in the world, O Lord. I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers, Alleluia.” (Psalm 17: 50; 21: 23)

The 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit are:(CCC #1831)

Wisdom
Understanding
Counsel
Fortitude
Knowledge
Piety
Fear of the Lord
What are the 12 fruits of the Holy Spirit? (CCC #1832)

Charity
Joy
Peace
Patience
Kindness
Goodness
Generosity
Gentleness
Faithfulness
Modesty
Self-control
Chastity

New Service and Old Service

“But now we are released from the law, having died to what was binding us, and so we are in a new service, that of the Spirit, and not in the old service of a written code.” (Romans 7:6)
The Spirit of God leads us into freedom. He leads us too into a new type of ministry – a ministry that depends entirely on Him and not on our might and power. The old service depends on the energy of the flesh. The new service depends on the power of the Holy Spirit. For one who is in the Spirit, He is a new creation. He sees life from a different perspective, the supernatural perspective.

Be Strong and show yourself a man

Be Strong and show yourself a man


"1 When the time of David's death drew near, he gave these instructions to his son Solomon: 2 "I am going the way of all mankind. Take courage and be a man. 3 Keep the mandate of the LORD, your God, following his ways and observing his statutes, commands, ordinances, and decrees as they are written in the law of Moses, that you may succeed in whatever you do, wherever you turn, 4 and the LORD may fulfill the promise he made on my behalf when he said, 'If your sons so conduct themselves that they remain faithful to me with their whole heart and with their whole soul, you shall always have someone of your line on the throne of Israel.' " (1 Kings 2: 1 -4)
When I read the above scripture in late 1994, I was excited about it. I wanted to be productive and to succeed in whatever I do and wherever I go. I saw the key in this passage. “Keep the mandate of the LORD, your God, following his ways and observing his statutes, commands, ordinances, and decrees as they are written in the law of Moses.” Today, after many years, I am as excited by the promises in this scripture as I was at the time I came to reflect on this passage. Our Blessed Mother told me to do whatever the Son tells me.
“Blessed the upright, for he will feed on the fruit of his deeds.” (Isaiah 3: 10)
The word of God promises in several places that he will bless the labors of the person who believes and obeys him. God’s promises are spiritual laws governing everyone and everything. I ought to see my Promised Land scriptures as spiritual laws.
What is the nature of a spiritual law?
• Spiritual law depends on certain conditions for fulfillment.
• They are precise and immutable.
The only conditions necessary for God’s spiritual laws to operate in our lives are faith and prayer. St. Augustine says that these are the two things that conquer God.
“I have strength for everything through him who empowers me.” (Philippians 4: 13). This is a spiritual law that governs me.
“For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Ten years ago, I confided to my journal the reflection below. Ten years after, I am amazed as to how things have turned out. I now have a teaching ministry in my parish. Ten years ago, I saw it as a tiny speck in the future horizon. God is faithful.
God knows the best for me. He has seen the whole pattern of the weaving of my life. He has seen the finished product. He will make a strategic match between my:
• Purpose
• Personality
• Position (environment)
1. What is my purpose? To learn and to communicate Jesus
Sources of learning:
• Mass
• Prayer
• WOG
• Bible Study
• Promised Land Scriptures
• Christian Radio
• TBN
• Teaching
2. Personality: Jesus Christ describes Himself as the Truth, the Way and the Life. Who am I? A friend and companion of Jesus.
3. Position: Tx-06, STM, SFJ
I trust God to arrange the very best for me.

Perfect Love

“Not only that; let us exult too, in our hardships, understanding that hardship develops perseverance and perseverance develops a tested character and a hope which will not let us down, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.” (Romans 5: 3 -5)

Exult in my hardships? This seems a tough advice to take. Yet, it is worthy to note how many times in the Bible we find such advice. This passage goes on to teach that if we endure our hardship, we develop perseverance. When we practice perseverance day after day in our trial, the result is a tested character and a hope that will not disappoint. If all this seems impossible for man, the last sentence in the above scripture states why it is true. The Holy Spirit has poured the love of God into our hearts. Perfect love not only drives out fear but makes all things possible.

Spirit and love
Spirit and patience
Spirit and hope

Faithful in little things

“And he said to him, “Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.” (Luke 19: 17)
Faithfulness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.
One dictionary defines faithfulness as:
• Full of faith: Ready to believe especially in the promises of God and His declarations.
• True and constant in affection and allegiance; loyal
• Firm in adherence to promises, oaths and undertakings. Firm and thorough in the observe of duty
The Holy Spirit enables us to be faithful to our calling.
Lord, show me what little thing I can be faithful today.
• Prayer
• Eucharist
• Word of God

The Holy Spirit warns Paul of Persecution

“When we had been there several days a prophet called Agabus arrived from Judaea. He came up to us, took Paul’s belt and tied up his own feet and hands, and said, ‘This is what the Holy Spirit says, ‘The man to whom this girdle belongs will be tied up like this by the Jews in Jerusalem and handed over to the gentiles.” (Acts 21: 11 – 12)

What is happening here? Why does the Holy Spirit warn Paul of impending persecution? This is not strange in salvation history. Jesus warns the apostles of His passion and death. He also warns them to be ready for intense persecution. I would like to be warned of impending persecution so that I could prepare for it through prayer, through lectio divina and through the Eucharist. Simeon warns the Virgin Mary that her Son would be a sign of contradiction and a sword would pierce her heart. Mary responded to this revelation through prayer and searching the scriptures. When the time comes for the unfolding of the Paschal Mystery, she was fully prepared.

An alert guard

“Be on your guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you the guardians, to feed the Church of God which he bought with the blood of his own Son.” (Acts 20: 28)

It is the Holy Spirit who appointed us to the ministry which we exercise today in the Church. The same Holy Spirit urges us to be vigilant first and foremost for ourselves and then for all the people we minister to. A guardian is like a keeper or watchdog for a very important asset. What we guard for ourselves in the treasure of salvation within us. This treasure is in an earthen vessel which is fragile. We guard it from wolves in sheep clothing whose only interest is to despoil us and our flock of this treasure.
Be on the alert therefore for yourself and for your flock.

In Captivity to the Spirit

“And now you see me on my way to Jerusalem in captivity to the Spirit; I have no idea what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit, in town after town, has made it clear to me that imprisonment and persecution await me.” (Acts 19: 22-23)
How I love the expression, “in captivity to the Spirit.” How I wish I am in captivity to the Spirit for the mission that God has destined me for. In Acts 20: 24, Paul writes: “…….provided that I complete the mission the Lord Jesus gave to me – to bear witness to the good news of God’s grace.”

“I have chosen you from the world to go and bear fruit that will last.” (John 15: 16, 19)
“I will bear a witness to you in the world, O Lord. I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers, alleluia.” (Psalm 17: 50; 21:23)

Ignorance of the Holy Spirit

“it happened that while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul made his way overland as far as Ephesus, where he found a number of disciples. When he asked, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers? They answered, ‘No, we were never even told that there was such a thing as a Holy Spirit.’ He asked, ‘Then how were you baptized?’ They replied, ‘With John’s baptism.’ Paul said, ‘John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance; but he insisted that the people should believe in the one who was to come after him – namely Jesus.’ When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, and the moment Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came down on them, and they began to speak with tongues and to prophesy.” (Acts 19: 1 – 17)

Today we might smile to learn that some early disciples of Jesus did not know that “there was such a thing as a Holy Spirit.” Yet, many years ago in the midst of my desert experience, when I received the message that “all that I need is the Holy Spirit.” I wondered: “What is the relevance of the Holy Spirit to my pressing problems of unemployment, money, health and a host of other problem?” Because I considered the messenger trustworthy, I did not discard the message. I did the Novena to the Holy Spirit before Pentecost of that year and on the final day of the Novena, following the instruction in the booklet I was using, knelt down and pleaded with all my heart for the Holy Spirit. When I got up, I was filled with a serene joy. My joy in the Holy Spirit continued to grow throughout the years. Then one day about three years ago, I discovered this amazing truth from the Roman Missal: “God is the source of all inspiration and power.” This is it for me. The search has ended! The Holy Spirit is all that I need. It is true! He is the source of all inspiration and power.

My Good Shepherd

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Besides restful waters he leads me;
He refreshes my soul.” (Psalm 23: 1-3)

On this Good Shepherd Sunday, I reflect what it means to me when I say that Jesus is my Good Shepherd. I remember many years ago when I first took spiritual notice of this Psalm. What struck me immediately was the phrase: “I shall not want.” It was probably the lowest period of my life when I seemed to experience every type of want. It was also the beginning of my conversion experience. I was also beginning to gain the insight that the word of God is true and trustworthy. Starting with God’s word and not my actual experience I tried to understand the meaning of the words. I argued that if God says that He is my Good Shepherd, therefore I have everything I need, this means that I have here and now everything I need. I turned this proposition in my mind for some time and then began to list every type of need that I experienced at that time, namely:

Health
Money
Job
Peace
Food
Tools
It was impossible on the surface to say that I had everything that I needed. I must have been aided by grace at the time because dissecting the above needs one by one, I saw clearly that I was adequate in everything. The configuration of each supply was in accordance with my real need of the time. When I saw the light, I thanked God for it. What is the key to my insight? I started with God’s word and not my needs. I believed prior to reflecting on God’s word that His word is true and trustworthy. I was reading God’s love letter to me. He says to me right here and right now: “I am your Good Shepherd, you shall not want.” Do I believe Him or not?

Over the years since that initial reflection, in periods of dire necessities, I return to Psalm 23 and repeat the reflection that gave me the light. I have also been exposed to other insights on “I shall not want.” In one period of great need, a friend in Australia wrote to me as follows:

“Don’t you have a roof over your head tonight? Do you not have food on the table tonight?”

This helped me to realize that all that I truly need here and now is what I truly have here and now. Jesus puts it in these memorable words:

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.

Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.” (Matthew 6: 33-34)

Jesus Christ is indeed the Good Shepherd.

Inspiration and Power

"26 Then the angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, "Get up and head south on the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza, the desert route." 27 So he got up and set out. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, 8 that is, the queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury, who had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and was returning home. Seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 The Spirit said to Philip, "Go and join up with that chariot."
39 When they came out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, but continued on his way rejoicing. 40 Philip came to Azotus, and went about proclaiming the good news to all the towns until he reached Caesarea. " (Acts 8: 26-29, 39-40)

When I read the above scripture this morning, I said to myself: “When I pray for inspiration and power every day, this is exactly what I want. I want the Holy Spirit to inspire me what to do or what to say and give me the power to do it. I want to completely surrender to the Holy Spirit so that He will lead me, guide me and use me as He sees fit.”

How can I make this happen? I can’t. God has taken note of my desire. He planted the desire Himself. All that I can do is to wait. (122108)

Can you imagine what it would mean to be completely under the control of the Holy Spirit? Think about this:

99% of the resources in my computer are not used.
99% of the books in my library have not been used.
99% of the DVD/CD in my library has not been exploited.
I don’t even know all that I possess today. Only one Person knows – the Holy Spirit. What would happen if He chooses to lead and guide me to use only 5% of the resources at my disposal today? I would set the world on fire!

I have learned a secret

The first item on my list this morning is the Study of Psalms. Last week, I did a word study of REFUGE. Today, I was led to Philippians 4: 12 - 13:

"I know how to be brought low, and know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me." ( Philippians 4: 12 - 13)

When I read this, I knew this is the scripture I had been looking for in my present dire circumstances which I describe as:

No jobs
No money
No inspiration
No power

I had seen hard times but nothing like the present one. In searching for commentaries on Philippians 4: 12 - 13, I came to realize how many good books I have in my library. I invested a good deal in good bible and theology books when I had the financial opportunity and today, this investment is paying off.

I learned one big lesson from Philippians 4: 12 - 13:

Jesus Christ is the secret.

Relying completely on Jesus Christ in any crisis is the secret of success.

Jesus Christ is the Refuge. He is the Rock and the Fortress.

How do I use the above truth in the type of crisis that I am facing at the moment?

I hide inside Jesus Christ till the storm passes.
I hide in Him through prayer.
I hide in Him through His word.
I hide in Him through the Eucharist.
I hide in Him in faith. I reject fear. I reject worry. I reject doubt.

After an hour of this study and reflection, I was refreshed and strong to face the day.

Spirit and Faith in Jesus

“I had scarcely begun to speak when the Holy Spirit came down on them in the same way as it came on us at the beginning, and I remembered that the Lord had said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ I realized then that God was giving them the identical gift he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ; and who was I to stand in God’s way?” (Acts 11: 15-17)

“What can we do to accomplish the work of God?” The people asked Jesus in John 6: 28. We can ask Jesus: “What can we do to receive the Holy Spirit?” In the above scripture (Acts 11: 15-17) , we read the testimony of Peter to his fellow disciples: We received the Holy Spirit when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a key and sine qua non condition. We can also add intense desire and prayer. When we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, when we desire with intensity this gift of the Father, when we ask for it with faith, it shall be given to us.

Joseph and Fr. John

"19 As soon as the master heard his wife's story about how his slave had treated her, he became enraged. He seized Joseph and threw him into the jail where the royal prisoners were confined. But even while he was in prison, the LORD remained with Joseph; he showed him kindness by making the chief jailer well-disposed toward him." Genesis 39: 19 - 21

While praying for Fr. Corapi, I saw a parallel of his situation with Joseph in Genesis. Below is a short piece from the narrative:

God in His loving providence allowed the pure and innocent Joseph to be falsely accused by a womanof attempted rapeand then sent to maximum security prison with hard labor for years. This is very instructive when considering the case of Fr. John Corapi. I believe it is entirely possible and consistent with God's ways of acting to allow Fr. John Corapi's faith to be tried in the manner it is being tried today. What Fr. Corapi’s followersneed to do is to pray for himwith complete trust in God and have no anxiety at all. This also reminds me of the passage in St. Paul where he wrote about spiritual warfare in his letter to the Ephesians: Those of us who are familiar with Fr. John Corapi’s teaching know that he taught a lot about spiritual warfare.

"10 1 Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. 11 Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. 12 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. 13 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. 14 So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, 15 and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all (the) flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit. To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones " Ephesians 6: 10 - 18)

Sent by the Lord Jesus

“Brother Saul, I have been sent by the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, so that you may recover your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 9: 17)

The Lord Jesus sends me to bring you the peace of Easter.
The Lord Jesus sends me to bring you words of comfort.
The Lord Jesus sends me to bring you words of encouragement.
The Lord Jesus sends me to bring you the consolation of the Holy Spirit.
The Lord Jesus sends me to bring you BREAKFAST.

Baptism and Confirmation

“When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, and they went down there and prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit, for as yet he had not come down on any of them: they had only been baptized in the name of Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 8: 14 – 17)
In Acts of the Apostles, Luke the writer documents for us the faith and the practice of the early Christian community. The above scripture shows that the early Christians considered Baptism a distinct sacrament from Confirmation. The Samaritans were first baptized. Then the Church in Jerusalem sent Peter and John, bishops to confirm the people. The Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles and other New Testament passages show clearly the centrality of Baptism, Confirmation and the Sacraments in the faith and practice of the early Church. Today, only the faith of the Catholic tradition maintains this teaching of the early Church.

Bloom where you are planted

“It would not be right for us to neglect the word of God so as to give out food; you, brothers, must select from among yourselves seven men of good reputation, filled with the Spirit and with wisdom, to whom we can hand over this duty.” (Acts 6: 2 3)
Bloom where you are planted.
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you identify your ministry. Then be who you are meant to be and you will set the world on fire. (St. Catherine of Siena) Peter and his fellow apostles were focused on the mission given them by Jesus. They were not denigrating the ministry of distribution of food to the poor. That ministry was marked out for some other people. As a result of the situation described in the above scripture, the Church has today the office of the permanent diaconate. The permanent deacons are resourceful men committed to the service of the Church.

Deliverance from Slavery

“Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that testing of your faith produces perseverance.” (James 1: 2-3)
“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith – more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire – may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1: 6-7)

Manny called me at about 8.30 pm and we talked for about 40 minutes. He told me that this week had been one of the most stressful experienced in recent times. I told him that after Easter every year going back to at least twelve years, I had always experienced great trials. This year is no exception. And this week was one of my most stressful week in the entire year. With money very low, without jobs and without inspiration and with plenty of customer harassment, I had a lot to deal with.

In May 1995, I got this incredible elocution from the Blessed Mother:
"All you need is the Holy Spirit."

I remember that at the time, I was surprised by this message. Why? Because I was praying desperately for money, for job and for health. What is the connection of the Holy Spirit to my dire needs of the moment? But I was curious enough to investigate. As I started reading up on the Holy Spirit using the books in my library, I saw clearly that the Holy Spirit is the answer to my longings and quest for success. In one word, I saw that the Holy Spirit will fulfill the longings/desires of my heart. That is all that I want and need.

That message from Mary had remained with me all these years. But at periods of dire financial needs as I feel this moment, I wondered if I needed something more than the Holy Spirit to help me. For example, skills in making money, skills at a marketable functions, more endearing personality, more robust health, etc.

All these futile speculations were put to rest early this morning when I remembered that Our Lady gave me the message in the most needy time of my entire life. I had discovered since then the reason why Our Blessed Mother said to me: "All you need is the Holy Spirit." The reason is simply because the Holy Spirit is the source of all inspiration and power. I see this in my life every day. I delight in His inspirations. I delight in His power. I know that with Him all things are possible.

Now why do I still feel affected by worries, fears and doubts?

O Jesus, your name says what it is and does what it says. Deliver me O dear Lord from the slavery of fears, worries and doubts. I ask for this in that Name that means Salvation. Amen.

Lying to the Holy Spirit

“Peter said, ‘Ananias, how can Satan have so possessed you that you should lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land?”
Is lying to the Church the same thing as lying to the Holy Spirit? This is what Peter is saying in the above scripture. Listen to another scripture:
“Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.” (Luke 10: 16)
Another scripture with a similar meaning is this:
“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” (Acts 9: 4-5)
The three scriptures refer to one thing: the Mystical Body of Christ. Paul wrote that the union of Jesus with His Church is one big mystery.

Proclaiming the word of God fearlessly

“As they prayed, the house where they were assembled rocked. From this time they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim the word of God fearlessly.” (Acts 4: 13)
O Most Holy Spirit, you respond to our desire for you by filling us with yourself and your gifts. Come to us and bless us with great courage to share the word of God everywhere. Amen!