Released by the Spirit

 

~~~ Acts of the Apostles 16:22-34 ~~~ Psalm 138 ~~~ John 16:5-11 ~~~

 

No matter if you feel imprisoned and your heart feels chained.

The Holy Spirit can set you free.

 

Do not be afraid the Advocate will come to protect you.

Do not despair when you are restrained.

The Spirit of God resides within you.

The same Spirit that continues to pour forth the peace of Christ.

The same Spirit that shakes prison cells, breaks chain, and unlocks doors.

This Spirit is the one who gives sight to believers.

This Spirit allows you to see the reflection of your soul as God sees it.

 

This is the Spirit that converts and saves.

The same Spirit that was with Paul so many years ago.

 

 

Yesterday we saw the conversion of Lydia, the dealer of purple;

today we see the conversion of the prison guard.

 

In both cases  Paul and his companions were cared for and fed a meal.

The Spirit draws out the best in us.

The Spirit fills us with such love that we must freely give it to others.

The Spirit fills us with humble gratitude.

 

'...trembling with fear, he fell down before Paul and Silas.'

 

The prison guard no longer had reason to tremble in fear.

The prison guard was transformed.

The prison guard was granted peace.

The prison guard was forever a new man.

 

“Believe in the Lord Jesus
and you and your household will be saved.”

 

His belief brought salvation to not only himself,

but to his whole household.

 

Our generous God invites all to believe in his saving power.

 

The Easter Blessing...

freedom from fear in the Spirit.

Instruction and Recollection by the HS

~~~ Sixth Sunday of Easter ~~~

 

~~Acts of the Apostles 15:1-2, 22-29~~Psalm 67~~Rev 21:10-14, 22-23~~John 14:23-29~~

 

 

With Pentecost only a few weeks away,

we are beginning to more emphasis on the workings of the Holy Spirit in our readings.

We are being reminded that the Holy Spirit was sent down from God.

This is the same Holy Spirit that comes down to us today.

 

The Advocate, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you everything
and remind you of all that I told you.

 

The Father sends down the Holy Spirit on behalf of Jesus,

because he willed it to be done.

The power of the Holy Spirit is that even after Jesus

is no longer physically teaching his followers,

 the Holy Spirit does continue teaching.

 

I hope you have seen evidence of the workings

of the Holy Spirit throughout your own life.

Every time you have one of those 'AHA' moments

while reading or hearing the scriptures.

That is the Holy Spirit.

Each time something you hear in a homily that makes you pause;

thing it was meant just for you.

That is the Holy Spirit.

 

But then we hear that the Holy Spirit has another role in our spiritual life.

The Holy Spirit comes to remind us of everything that Jesus

preached while he was here.

 

In other words do not be anxious about not being able to remember

everything you hear or read about God.

The Holy Spirit will gently remind you of the words of Jesus.

It may be a subtle thought that comes into your heart just when you need it.

The right words come to you to share with a person in need or troubled.

 

 

The Holy Spirit is our personal Advocate...

the Holy Spirit is for you and me.

The Holy Spirit is alive and with us now in 2013.

 

Open your heart; for the power of the Holy Spirit is coming very soon.

Let yourself fully experience the Pentecost experience

by preparing today.

May you be blessed with a welcoming heart.

The Easter Blessing of the residing presence of the Holy Spirit.

Only Through the Power of God

~~~ Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena ~~~

 

~~~ Acts of the Apostles 14:5-18 ~~ Psalm 115 ~~~ John 14:21-26 ~~~

 

Do not be satisfied with little things,

 because God wants great things. Letter T127

The human heart is always drawn by love. Dialogue 26

 The above are quotes from Saint Catherine of Siena,

 Doctor of the Church.

 

 Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.

The disciples went about healing and doing the work of God.

They consistently resisted the temptation to take any credit for themselves.

Barnabas and Paul tried to stress to the people their humanness...

saying we are just the same as you.

 

They realized that under their own power they were nothing.

All the good they were able to accomplish was through the power of God.

They allowed God to use their hands and inspire their words.

We can ask God to use us in a manner that is pleasing to him.

 

"...The Advocate, the Holy Spirit
whom the Father will send in my name–
he will teach you everything
and remind you of all that I told you."

 

Jesus promised that the Father would send down the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit came then and continues to come down upon all of us.

 

The Holy Spirit comes down opening our minds and hearts to understanding.

The Holy Spirit keeps the word alive;

providing for us what we need for our soul. 

 

The Advocate...

The dictionary says...

one that pleads the cause of another; specifically :

one that pleads the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial court...

 one that defends or maintains a cause or proposal...

one that supports or promotes the interests of another. 

 

 The grace of the Holy Spirit gives us insight

into God's plan for our lives.

The Holt Spirit inspires us into being all

that God intends for us to be. 

 

The Holy Spirit is our connection today with the Father and the Son.

The Holy Spirit moves freely in and out of our daily lives.

Do you even notice when the Spirit is present?

Begin to become more aware;

it will bring you much joy and comfort.

 

'Stand up straight on your feet'

knowing that God has sent the Holy Spirit for you.

 

We begin now to anticipate the formal sending down

of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.

 

So very many Blessings of Easter.

We are so very loved.