Holy Spirit – The Transformer

"I will put my spirit in you that you may live, and I will settle you upon your land; thus you shall know that I am the Lord. I have promised, and I will do it, says the Lord." (Ezekiel 37: 12 – 14)

The above scripture answers the question: How to embrace the world given to me without comprising myself? God promised to give me His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit in me will anoint me for the work of my life and teach me how to embrace the world without any compromise.

Christ embraced the world without compromise. He ate with sinners. He embraced Mary Magdalene. He drank wine with sinners. When we surrender completely to the Holy Spirit, He will transform us to love like Christ.

Transform us

"Father in heaven, the love of your Son led him to accept the suffering of the cross that his brothers might glory in new life. Change our selfishness into self-giving. Help us to embrace the world you have given us, that we may transform the darkness of its pain into the life and joy of Easter …." (Mass Prayer in Lent)

If we love Jesus and the salvation of our brothers and sisters, then we will share gladly in the cross of Christ so that our brethren may find new life.

Guide us Lord by the example of Christ. Change our selfishness into self-giving. May the discipline of Lent of prayer, fasting and almsgiving affect in us this attitude permanently.

Another Christ

"Father, help us to be like Christ your Son, who loved the world and died for our salvation. Inspire us by his love, guide us by his example…"

Help us to be like Christ. The Holy Spirit transforms us into the image of Christ. Help us to be another Christ. Teach us to love the world that Christ loved and to be ready to die for its salvation if necessary.

May Christ's love for man inspire us in our thoughts, words and deeds.

Guide us by Christ's examples: faith, patience, wisdom, humility and courage.

God is my refuge

"Give me justice, O God, and defend my cause against the wicked; rescue me from deceitful and unjust men. You, O God, are my refuge." (Psalm 43: 1-2)

God is my refuge.

When deceitful, unjust and wicked men confront me, God is my refuge and my strength. He is the guardian of my rights.

With God, justice delayed is not justice denied. In UEF86, God is my refuge and my strength. In CNUA94, he stood by my side.

Do this/ Observe all

"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age." (Matthew 28: 19 – 20)

"Then he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." (Luke 22: 19)

At the Last Supper, Jesus instructed the disciples to observe the Sacred Meal in remembrance of Him. Before ascending into heaven, He gave the great commission to His disciples and asked them to observe everything He taught them. It was not enough to believe what He taught them but they must observe and do as well.

Reading leads to forgetfulness. Practice leads to remembrance. The disciples were to teach their new converts to practice the faith. Practice leads to tradition.

"I glorify you on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do." (John 17: 4)

The Power of the Eucharist 2

"Lord, may the power of your holy gifts free us from sin and help us to please you in our daily lives….." (Prayer at Mass)

The Eucharist is powerful enough to free us from sins. In fact, our venial sins are forgiven during the Eucharist. The Eucharist also helps us to please God in our daily lives.

Correct Answer

"So the people could not agree about him." (John 7: 43)

"Who do men say that I am?" This is the question that divides Christianity. Different denominations and different answers to this question. Since correct thought is the key to correct action, the answer to this question directly impacts on our understanding of the teaching of Christ.

"Who do you say that I am?"

"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)