"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.
"Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope….. You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever." (Psalm 16: 1, 11)
The Holy Spirit has shown me the path to life – the 7-Way Plan.
"Father, you gave St. Bernadine a special love for the name of Jesus. By the help of his prayers, may we always be alive with the spirit of your love…." (Prayer on the feast of St. Bernadine – 05/20/2009)
Exactly ten years ago, I confided this brief reflection on the above prayer:
God gave St. Bernadine a special gift: Love of the name of Jesus. Everything is a gift from our Father.
St. Ignatius Loyola also had special love for the name of Jesus. He called the religious order he founded – The Society of Jesus.
"Father, let your Spirit come upon us with power to fill us with his gifts. May he make our hearts pleasing to you, and ready to do your will ……"
We are 12 days away from Pentecost 2009. We ask the Father to fill us with the awesome gifts of the Holy Spirit so that our hearts will always be pleasing to Him. With the Holy Spirit firmly in control of our hearts, He will dispose us to do God's will in all things.
"Let us come to God's presence with confidence, because we will find mercy and strength when we need it." (Hebrews 4: 6)
How to come into God's presence:
How to come into God's presence with confidence:
"When the Holy Spirit comes to you, the Spirit whom I shall send, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness to me, and you also will be my witnesses." (John 15: 26 – 27)
Yes Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word. I am your servant.
"Consecrate them in the truth; your word is truth." (John 17: 17)
O Holy Spirit, set me apart for service of the Truth, who is Jesus Christ. Amen!
"Be on your guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you the guardians, to feed the Church of God which he bought with the blood of his own Son." (Acts 20: 28)
Be watchful. Be alert. Your enemy is constantly prowling, seeking for an opportunity to score a goal.
Be watchful too for your flock. Pray for them constantly. Be ready to alert them after prayers on the wiles of the evil one.
"The Holy Spirit who the Father will send in my name will teach you all things, and remind you of all I have said to you." ( John 14: 26)
The Holy Spirit and instructions
The Holy Spirit and memory
The Holy Spirit will teach me and remind me.
"I have glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do." (John 17: 4)
Father, help me to glorify you by finishing the work you gave me to do.
The Enterprise will glorify God. God will not oppose anything that will glorify His name. Emm-Del, Mary-HP, AD-8 will all glorify God because all have been dedicated to His service.
"Sing to God, O Kingdom of the earth ….. Blessed day by day be the Lord, who bears our burdens; God, who is our salvation." ( Psalm 68: 33, 20)
God bears our burdens day by day. God is there for us all the time.
"But I do not place any value on my own life, provided that I complete the mission the Lord gave me – to bear witness to the good news of God's grace." (Acts 20: 24)
Christ's work must come before our very lives. It must be number one in our priority.
The task is to bear witness to the good news of God's grace.
"Lord, send the power of your Holy Spirit upon us that we may remain faithful and do your will in our daily lives ….." (Mass Prayer in the Season of Easter)
We can do nothing without the inspiration and power of the Holy Spirit.
I am favored by constant inspiration from my Precious Friend. I commit myself to acting as soon as I get the inspiration. O Holy Spirit, grant me the gift of discernment of spirits so that no open door will be left for the inspiration of the enemy. Amen.
"I am the beginning and end of all things. I have met death, but I am alive, and I shall live for eternity." (Revelation 1: 17-18)
I was dead but I am alive forevermore.
I conquered death by dying. You conquer fear by facing fears.
They conquered the enemy through:
(Revelation 12:10)
