St. Philip Neri - Cheerful disposition

"And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us." (Romans 5: 5)

May 26, Feast of St. Philip Neri - From the Roman Missal, we have the following:

"(1515 - 1595).  Born in Florence, he was ordained in 1551, and in 1564 he founded the Congregation of the Oratory.  He is noted for his zeal in converting sinners through the Sacrament of Penance, and for his cheerful disposition.  He was a catechist and a spiritual guide of extraordinary talent.  He was canonized in 1622."

St. Philip Neri had four gifts I want for myself:

1. Zeal in converting sinners through the Sacrament of Penance
2. Cheerful disposition
3. Catechist
4. Spiritual guide

As St. Philip the Apostle is the model of my mission in his relation to the Holy Spirit, St. Philip Neri is the model of the gifts I need to fulfill my purpose.

Opening Prayer on the feast of St. Philip Neri:

"Father, you continually raise up your faithful to the glory of holiness.  In your love kindle in us the fire of the Holy Spirit who so filled the heart of Philip Neri.  We ask his through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son..."

Without this fire of the Holy Spirit, our ministry will only be mediocre.

The Holy Spirit will remind you of all that I told you

"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)

Thank you Jesus for the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Thank you for His activities in my life.  I bear witness to the truth that the Holy Spirit is the best Teacher.  I depend on Him when I want to learn anything.  Today I am praying to Him to make me as great a teacher as Jesus.  O Divine Spirit, give me the gift of teaching with simplicity.

Thank you O Holy Spirit for reminding me of the favors God has bestowed on me.  Without this reminding, I would forget many blessings I enjoy from God.  I love all your gifts O Spirit of God.  One of the gifts I love most is your reminding me of the good things that God has done for me.  This constant reminding makes me constantly thankful and constitutes a solid wall of protection during hard times.

Come O Holy Spirit.

Approach the throne of grace with confidence

"So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help."  (Hebrews 4: 16)

Those who dare to approach the throne of grace with confidence receive abundant favors.
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,* and I will give you rest."  (Matthew 11:28)

"All you who are thirsty,
come to the water!
You who have no money,
come, buy grain and eat;
Come, buy grain without money,
wine and milk without cost!"  (Isaiah 55: 1)

"Blessed* are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” (Revelation 19: 9)

The Power to testify

"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 - 27)

Lord, fill us with you Holy Spirit that we will bear witness to you in the Lord.  Empower us with your Spirit of truth that we shall spread the knowledge of your name among our brothers.  Without you, we can do nothing.

The Mediator

"On that day you will ask in my name, and I do not tell you that I will ask the Father for you.
For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have come to believe that I came from God."  (John 16: 26 - 27)

Prayer should be in the name of Jesus for He is our Mediator and Intercessor.  In the past few weeks, the Gospel readings at daily Mass have been taken largely from St. John's Gospel.  We read again and again Jesus urging us to ask in His name and we shall receive.  The promise today goes one step further.  The engaged disciple is now no longer a baby.  He loves Jesus.  This love is evidence of the Holy Spirit who has made a home in the disciple's heart.  This disciple starts to enjoy the full benefits of his love for Jesus.  Jesus knows his needs and takes them to the Father and the Father graciously obliges.  Thank you Jesus.

The Peace of Jesus

"I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” (John 16: 33)

The peace of Christ surpasses all understanding.  (Philippians 4: 7)
"Let the peace of Christ control your hearts."  (Colossians 3:15)  When the peace of Christ keeps guard over the heart, then the person is peaceful under every circumstance.  He is not at the mercy of events and circumstances.  We come to this condition by accepting in faith the peace offered to us by Jesus in John 16: 33.  Before this, we reject the flippant and conditional peace offered by the world.  A peace that depends on the weather is no peace at all.   Whatever is the event or circumstance, we refuse to be anxious but by prayer and petition mixed with thanksgiving, we make our requests known to God.  Whenever I live this word of God, I have felt the peace promised by Jesus Christ.  It is peace that the world cannot understand or replicate.

Jesus Christ wants His followers to enjoy peace.  I am amazed at the number of times the word peace is repeated during holy Mass.

I am with you always

"Behold, I am with you to the end of the ages." (Matthew 28: 20)

What if we know for certain that Jesus is with us always?  If we know for certain that Jesus is with us always, we will act with more courage on His word that "Fear is useless; what is needed is trust."  We are more likely than not  obey His commands.

God's word is true.  If Jesus says that He is with us always, that is what it is.  He is not a man to lie.  Lord, grant me the grace to act here and now as if you are truly with me.  Amen!