+ The readings for mass today take us to another point of decision.
In the first reading from the
Acts of the Apostles a simple formula of life emerges: “the churches throughout
the region built themselves up, living in the fear of the Lord, and filled with
the consolation of the Holy Spirit.
“Living in fear of the Lord”
is not a negative connotated sentiment at all for the truly baptized into the
Life of Christ, the Life of the Spirit, Childhood in the Fatherhood of God” –
One who is thus connected, realizes utter, complete and total dependence on the
source of their entire temporal and eternal existence: therefore, as we fear
losing battery charge in our smart phones, so we “fear” doing anything at all
that would disconnect us from God’s Love and Power and Healing Peace. This is
what “fear of the Lord means” – he is so awesome, and any shred of dignity at
all that we possess comes from him! – and then we can be pretty awesome ourselves
as his helpers!
“Filled with the consolation
of the Holy Spirit” – is the good part, the icing on the cake! Asking the
Spirit in the morning to fill us and our agenda for the day, and to gently lead
us and guide us through it – produces “icing” – produces peace and joy and
healing and strength when needed: this is manifest and demonstrated in the two
miracles also shown in the first reading: the Spirit of God can do anything to
awaken or sustain faith and trust in God alone: even curing a bedridden
patient, or raising a little girl from the dead! The Spirit can affect equally
amazing demonstrations in us and our loved ones, or even perfect strangers
through us: if we but believe He can do it!
In the gospel passage Jesus
tells this disciple point blank – that “it is the spirit that gives life, the
flesh has nothing to offer.” My words, my actions are spirit and life. And then
when people started leaving Jesus because some of his way of putting things
rubbed them the wrong way – and they did not try to activate the gift of faith
in order to understand – he says to the Apostles – do you want to leave too –
and Peter, says – Lord, where else can we go to get the truth, to get
compassion, to get forgiveness but you! We know you are the Holy One of God!
Please allow us to stay with you always!
May we say the same, now,
here, at this mass – and enjoy the consolation and peace of the Holy Spirit all
day long, as we proceed, joyfully, but always in the back of our minds “fearing”
doing anything that would cause us to “lose our spiritual battery charge” for
good!
Yes, Lord, your words are
spirit and life, you have the message of eternal life!
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