“On the last day, the great day of the festival, Jesus stood and cried out: ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me! Let anyone who believes in me come and drink! As scripture says, ‘From his heart shall flow streams of living water.’ He was speaking of the Spirit which those who believed in him were to receive; for there was no Spirit as yet because Jesus had not yet been glorified.” (John 7: 37 – 39)
Lord Jesus, I am thirsty for the Spirit. Here I am. Let this stream of living water flow from my heart to wherever I may find myself: in the Church, my neighborhood, in my workplace. Everywhere I go, let me irrigate the place with this stream of living water. I believe in you Jesus. I trust in your word.
Friday, April 08, 2011
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
The Spirit and Pope John Paul II
“It is the Spirit that gives life, the flesh has nothing to offer. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” (John 6: 63)
On January 26, 1998, I confided to my journal the following reflection:
“Pope John Paul II concluded a historic visit to Cuba yesterday. Most news commentators stressed his age and his feeble health. As I watched him on the television, I could see that his hands were trembling and that his flesh was indeed weak. But only a blind man could miss the fact that his spirit is very strong.
On the 1st of May, 2011, Pope John Paul II will be beatified a Blessed, one step towards full canonization. The world would watch in awe as it did during his funeral Mass. One can argue that 80% of his magnificent achievement was recording in the years of declining health and feebleness of the flesh. For those who follow salvation history, this is not a great mystery. “It is the Spirit that gives life, the flesh has nothing to offer.” God has always used weak flesh to achieve great things. Think of Mother Teresa!
On January 26, 1998, I confided to my journal the following reflection:
“Pope John Paul II concluded a historic visit to Cuba yesterday. Most news commentators stressed his age and his feeble health. As I watched him on the television, I could see that his hands were trembling and that his flesh was indeed weak. But only a blind man could miss the fact that his spirit is very strong.
On the 1st of May, 2011, Pope John Paul II will be beatified a Blessed, one step towards full canonization. The world would watch in awe as it did during his funeral Mass. One can argue that 80% of his magnificent achievement was recording in the years of declining health and feebleness of the flesh. For those who follow salvation history, this is not a great mystery. “It is the Spirit that gives life, the flesh has nothing to offer.” God has always used weak flesh to achieve great things. Think of Mother Teresa!
Monday, April 04, 2011
Worship in spirit and truth
“God is spirit, and those who worship must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4: 24)
With the above scripture, Jesus revealed to the Samaritan woman the new form of worship that is pleasing to God. It will be worship rendered to God by His children who accept the Lordship of Jesus Christ in their lives and have been baptized by water and the Holy Spirit. Such worshipers are led to true worship by the indwelling Holy Spirit.
“Eternal Father, turn our hearts to you. By seeking your kingdom and loving one another, may we become a people who worship you in spirit and truth …” Mass Prayer in Lent
With the above scripture, Jesus revealed to the Samaritan woman the new form of worship that is pleasing to God. It will be worship rendered to God by His children who accept the Lordship of Jesus Christ in their lives and have been baptized by water and the Holy Spirit. Such worshipers are led to true worship by the indwelling Holy Spirit.
“Eternal Father, turn our hearts to you. By seeking your kingdom and loving one another, may we become a people who worship you in spirit and truth …” Mass Prayer in Lent