|
|
If your understanding of the divine made you kinder, more empathetic, and impelled you to express sympathy in concrete acts of loving-kindness, this was good theology. But if your notion of God made you unkind, belligerent, cruel, of self-righteous, or if it led you to kill in God's name, it was bad theology.
- Karen Armstrong
(What does your spirituality tell you about your theology? Vice versa?)
|
|
|
Acts 17:15, 22—18:1; Psalm 148:1-2, 11-12, 13, 14
Jn 16:12-15
Jesus said to his disciples:
“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.
But when he comes, the Spirit of truth,
he will guide you to all truth.
He will not speak on his own,
but he will speak what he hears,
and will declare to you the things that are coming.
He will glorify me,
because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.
Everything that the Father has is mine;
for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine
and declare it to you.”
USCCB lectionary
|
Reflection on the Scripture
|
“When He comes, however, being the Spirit of truth He will guide you to all truth.” —John 16:13
For many, this Easter season has been fantastic. Others have been discouraged. They may feel like St. Paul after his failure at Athens. When Paul started speaking to the Athenians about Jesus’ Resurrection, some interrupted and sneered at him. Others brushed him off, telling him to come back some other time (Acts 17:32). Although a few did become believers, this was the worst response in the Bible to Paul’s
preaching of the Gospel.
You may also feel like a failure. You may feel like quitting and going back into the fishing business with St. Peter (Jn 21:3) or tent-making with Paul (Acts 18:3). The Lord is not calling you to quit His ministry but quit your discouragement (2 Cor 4:1).
“For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God bestowed when my hands were laid on you. The Spirit God has given us is no cowardly Spirit, but rather One that makes us strong, loving, and wise” (2 Tm 1:6-7). The Holy Spirit is our Paraclete, Helper, Advocate, the One at our side. We need not focus on circumstances around us but on the Spirit within us. We don’t need to change churches, ministries,
or spouses. We need the Holy Spirit.
Prayer: Father, thank You for turning even my failures to Your honor and glory.
Promise: “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.” —Jn 16:12
Praise: St. Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi said, “You will be consoled according to the greatness of your sorrow and affliction; the greater the suffering, the greater will be the reward.”
Presentation Ministries
|
|
|
Poems from the Little Flower of Jesus: Saint Therese of Lisieux
- by Athanasius Press, 2018
Part One: To Live of Love
"If any man love Me, he will keep My word and My Father will love him and We will come to him and make Our abode with him. . . My peace I give unto you . . . Abide in My love."
(St. John 14:23, 27, -- 15:9)
2.
Incarnate Word! Thou Word of God alone!
To live of love, tis to abide with Thee.
Thou knowest I love Thee, Jesus Christ, my Own!
Thy Spirit's fire of love enkindleth me.
By loving Thee, I draw the Father here
Down to my heart, to stay with me always.
Blest Trinity! Thou art my prisoner dear,
Of love, to-day.
|
|
Paperback
|
|
Please support this outreach with a tax-deductible donation.
|
|
|
