"The Lord has been my strength; he has led me into freedom. He saved me because he loves me." (Psalm 18: 19-20)
The Lord has been my strength all the days of my life. He delivered me from the shackles of the enemy and led me into freedom. He saved me because He loved me. He is still saving me today because he loves me.
"Father, may the food we receive in the Eucharist help our eternal redemption. Keep within us the vigor of your Spirit and protect the gifts you have given your Church….." (Communion Prayer on the Feast of Pentecost)
One important fruits of the Eucharist which I love is that it keeps within us the vigor of the Holy Spirit. That is to say, as we receive Jesus in the Eucharist, we are refilled with the Holy Spirit.
We ask the Father in the above Communion prayer to protect the gifts He has lavished on the Church. Some of these gifts are:
"They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke of great things God had done." (Acts 2: 4, 11)
Perhaps the easiest way to evangelize is to speak of the great things God has done for you. Testimonies rarely fail. When I hear one, I say aloud or to myself: " I love testimonies." Testimonies build up your faith.
O Holy Spirit, remind me the great things you have done for me and let me know when to use them to promote the Kingdom of God.
"Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." (John 20: 21)
Lord thank you for your gift of peace. I need it very much today. I want your peace. I do not want to worry for anything.
Lord if you send me, I will go.
Left: The Blessed Sacrament Chapel at St. Thomas More Church in Houston, Texas.
The Blessed Sacrament Chapel is the home of peace. It is not possible to come into the presence of Christ and seriously ask Him for peace and leave His presence without the gift. Impossible!
"Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." (John 20: 21)
Lord thank you for your gift of peace. I need it very much today. I want your peace. I do not want to worry for anything.
Lord if you send me, I will go.
"To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit." (1 Corinthians 12: 7)
How does the Holy Spirit manifest in my life for the benefit of the Church? What are my gifts?
I learn and I teach
Faith
Obedience
Prayer
"And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim." (Acts 2: 4)
The Spirit enabled them to exercise their different gifts. May the Holy Spirit also empower me to exercise my own gift. I trust He will in the fullness of time. I walk by faith and not by sight.
"Father of light, from whom every good gift comes, send your Spirit into our lives with the power of a mighty wind, and by the flame of your wisdom open the horizons of our minds. Loosen our tongues to sing your praise in words beyond the power of speech, for without your Spirit man could never raise his voice in words of peace or announce the truth that Jesus is Lord…." (Prayer on Pentecost Sunday)
Every good gift comes from God.
Open the horizons of our minds by the flame of your wisdom.
Loosen our tongues to speak your praise.
Without the Holy Spirit, we can do nothing.
"God our Father, let the Spirit you sent on your Church to begin the teaching of the gospel continue to work in the world through the hearts of all who believe…" (Prayer on Pentecost Sunday)
The Spirit ushers in the work of the Church. Has he ushered in your work?
Father, fill me with your Holy Spirit. May he lead and guide me to my work. Amen!
"The love of God has been poured into our hearts by his Spirit living in us." (Romans 5: 5; 8:11)
I accept this as true. I walk by faith and not by sight. I do not worry whether I love God or my neighbor. I know that the Holy Spirit who lives in me produces the fruit of love. I may fail sometimes but I do not doubt that my permanent disposition is to love.
"Father of mercy, hear our prayers that we may leave our former selves behind and serve you with holy and renewed hearts….." (Prayer at Mass in the Season of Easter)
Our hearts are renewed this Easter season through the celebrations of the Easter Sacraments. We ask the Father for the grace to leave our former selves behind and serve Him with holy hearts.
"This disciple [John] is the one who vouches for these things and written them down, and we know that his testimony is true." (John 21: 24)
John wrote what he saw, heard and touched. His testimony is true.
How do I experience Christ so that I can testify to what I see, hear and touch?
"[Paul] He spent the whole of the two years in his own rented lodging. He welcomed all who came to visit him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ with complete fearlessness and without any hindrance from anyone." (Acts 28: 30 – 31)
Even as a prisoner, Paul proclaimed the good news. For anyone who is willing, there is always an opportunity to proclaim the good news.
Most Holy Spirit, lead me, guide me and use me.
"The disciples were constantly at prayer together, with Mary the mother of Jesus, the other women, and the brothers of Jesus." (Acts 1: 14)
One of the constant messages of Mary during her apparitions in history is to urge us to pray. Pray, pray and pray seems to me the one dominant message at Medjugorje. How best do we respond to Mary's call for prayer: the Rosary.
"God our Father, the Eucharist is our Bread of life and the Sacrament of our forgiveness. May our sharing in this mystery bring us to eternal life, where Jesus is Lord forever and ever." (Prayer at Mass in the Season of Easter)
God is dedicated to us as a Father. He offers us Jesus as our Bread of life. The Eucharist also cleanses us from all venial sins. It is the great mystery of our faith.
"The Holy Spirit will teach you all things and remind you of all I have said to you." (John 14: 26)
The Holy Spirit is a great teacher. Most Holy Spirit, teach me, guide me and use me.
The Holy Spirit is a great reminder. O Divine Spirit, remind me of all that God has done for me so that I will always be full of thanks.
"When they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon son of John, do you love me more these others do?" (John 21: 15)
Manny, do you love me more than your:
Yes, Lord. I love your more than all these.
"Agrippa said to Festus, "I should like to hear the man myself." (Acts 25: 22)
When they put you before tribunals, do not worry about what to say. It shall be your opportunity to bear witness.
What opportunities would be created for me today to bear witness?
Most Holy Spirit lead me, guide me and use me today.
"Father, in glorifying Christ and sending us your Spirit, you open the way to eternal life. May our sharing in this gift increase our love and make our faith grow stronger…." (Prayer in Easter Season)
The presence of the Holy Spirit in us is the guarantee that eternal life is already within us. "Eternal life is knowing you the one true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." The Holy Spirit brings us the knowledge of God.
Father, Pentecost is near. We await eagerly the gifts of your Blessed Spirit. Increase our love and our faith.
"I pray not only for these but also for those who through their teaching will come to believe in me." (John 17: 20)
Christ the High Priest has prayed especially for me: "Emmanuel, Emmanuel, I pray that your faith will not falter. After the trial, when you are strong, strengthen your brothers."
Thank you Jesus.
Christ's prayer is very effective.
