Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem?

"Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer  these things and enter into his glory?”  (Luke 24: 26 NABRE)

The Cross was a necessity for Christ for the salvation of the world.   What is a necessity for the Incarnate Jesus becomes a necessity for us.  Jesus is the Way we must walk.  He is the Truth we follow like a bright street light.  He is the life we live when we are transformed into a new creation.

Do not reject suffering in your life, brethren.   For rejection of the cross is rejection of Jesus Christ.  (Pope Benedict XVI).  No cross, no crown. No thorns, no testimony. 

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."  (Matthew 11: 29 - 30)

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The word of God continues to grow.

"The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith."  (Acts 6: 7 NABRE)

Yesterday we reflected on the Gamaliel Principle:
“So I am telling you: Hands off these men! Let them alone. If this program or this work is merely human, it will fall apart, but if it is of God, there is nothing you can do about it — and you better not be found fighting against God!”  (Acts 5: 38 - 39 MSG).

Today we see the vindication of the wisdom of Gamaliel.  In spite of the opposition of the Jewish leaders, we see the growth of the Faith through the power of God.  Gamaliel Principle is true. As it was then, so it is now and forever.

Do not be afraid that God will forsake you or abandon you in your calling.

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God will finish what He started.

 "For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself.   But  if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God.”  (Acts 5: 38 - 39 NABRE)

Many years ago, I was discerning a very important project.  After sometime, I decided to consult a spiritual director.  He acknowledged that the project was tough. The only support he offered was the above Scripture (Acts 5: 38 - 39). Years after the consultation, I started to call the Scripture the "Gamaliel Principle" after the main character, Rabbi Gamaliel.  The Scripture turned out to be one of my key Scriptures in spiritual discernment. I learned this life lesson:

1.  If God is with you, it is accomplished.  No matter the obstacles, delays,
disappointments or personal weaknesses.
2.  No fear. No worry. No doubt as long as the Lord is with you.
3.  God will finish what He started. (Exodus 14: 13-14; Isaiah 13: 15; 2 Chronicles 20: 15;  Philippians 1: 6)

"Wait for the Lord, take courage;
be stouthearted, wait for the Lord!"  (Psalm 27: 14)

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If the Lord is with you, it is accomplished.

 "For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself.   But  if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God.”  (Acts 5: 38 - 39 NABRE)

Many years ago, I was discerning a very important project.  After sometime, I decided to consult a spiritual director.  He acknowledged that the project was tough. The only support he offered was the above Scripture (Acts 5: 38 - 39). Years after the consultation, I started to call the Scripture the "Gamaliel Principle" after the main character, Rabbi Gamaliel.  The Scripture turned out to be one of my key Scriptures in spiritual discernment. I learned this life lesson:

1.  If God is with you, it is accomplished.  No matter the obstacles, delays,
disappointments or personal weaknesses.
2.  No fear. No worry. No doubt as long as the Lord is with you.

"Wait for the Lord, take courage;
be stouthearted, wait for the Lord!"  (Psalm 27: 14)

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God offers His Holy Spirit without measure.

"We are witnesses of these things, as is the holy Spirit that God has given to those who obey him.”  (Acts 5: 32 NABRE)

The Holy Spirit living inside us witnesses to us the living Presence of Jesus in us.  We know the Holy Spirit is in us because we experience His inspiration and power working in us.  In common everyday experiences, we congratulate someone for an accomplishment and you hear:  "To God be the glory." Or some similar affirmation.  The Holy Spirit reminds us constantly what God is doing in our lives and thereby help us to live a joyful life. (Psalm 118: 23; John 14: 26).  This new way of living came about because Abba Father raised Jesus from the dead and "exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins." (Acts 5: 31)

God does not ration His gift of the Holy Spirit. (John 3: 34)

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I chose you.

I chose you.

"You did not choose me; I chose you. And I gave you this work: [appointed you] to go and produce fruit, fruit that will last [remain; abide]. Then the Father will give you anything you ask for in my name."  (John 15: 16 EXB)

“Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature."  (Mark 16: 15).

"I will bear witness to You in the world O Lord.  I will spread the knowledge of Your name among my brothers and sisters.  (Psalm 17: 50 ; 21:23 RM)

"The Church exists in order to evangelize."  (Pope Paul VI).
Are you ready to play your part?

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I chose and called you and I anointed you to go and bear fruit that will last.

"And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs."  (Mark 16: 20 NLT)

This is how St Mark the Evangelist ended his Gospel. 16 chapters.  Full of power.  In the past few days, we have heard three times from Jesus: 
“Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature."  (Mark 16: 15).  Today we witness the response and the results.  You may ask:  Where are the accompanying miracles today? The answer is simple:  Miracles are happening everywhere in the world as the Gospel is proclaimed with faith and power.  Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever.  (Hebrews 13: 8).

Today is the feast of St Mark the Evangelist.

"O God, who raised up Saint Mark, your Evangelist, and endowed him with the grace to preach the Gospel,
grant, we pray, that we may so profit from his teaching as to follow faithfully in the footsteps of Christ.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever."

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No one can do these things unless God is with him.

"They were all filled with the holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness."  (Acts 4:  31 NABRE)

Two days ago, we got this command from Jesus:  "Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature."  (Mark 16: 15).
Today, we see how this command can be fulfilled.   The Holy Spirit is not just Lord and Giver of life.  He is the Spirit of inspiration and power.  The dictionary defines inspiration as "the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative."  This is the domain of the Holy Spirit.  Power here means the ability or capacity to do something superior to your natural ability and gifts.

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Evangelization.  It is the Spirit that enables us to undertake and fulfill the command to "Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature."  (Mark 16: 15).
The Holy Spirit is a Gift waiting for you to be taken.  It is a Gift that keeps giving.  Ask for the Holy Spirit.  Ask for Him with passion at the beginning of your day.  Before long, you will begin to notice how He works in your life.

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