PRAYER: “O GOD, WHO RESTORE US TO ETERNAL LIFE IN THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST, RAISE US, WE PRAY, TO THE AUTHOR OF OUR SALVATION, WHO IS SEATED AT YOUR RIGHT HAND, SO THAT, WHEN THE SAVIOUR COMES AGAIN IN MAJESTY, THOSE YOU HAVE GIVEN NEW BIRTH IN BAPTISM MAY BE CLOTHED WITH BLESSED IMMORTALITY. THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOUR SON, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU IN THE UNITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, GOD, FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN”.
Acts 18:9-18; Ps 46:2-7 and Jn 16:20-23.
The two scripture passages we reflect on today, give us some of the things the Lord, through the Holy Spirit does for those who follow him and are committed and dedicated witnesses to him. The Lord, through the Holy Spirit consoles the desolate who weep alone. He encourages and sends repose in times of weariness, granting weak bodies and souls, strength not to grow weary of doing what is good and right. He defends and protects the righteous and the innocent. He enlightens and inspires those who fight for the course of what is right and just. Those with the Holy Spirit rejoice in the face of trial sufferings and persecutions. The Holy Spirit can stir confusion among the evil/devil incarnates who aim at frustrating and destroying the designs and plans of God in the world.
We hear about some of these actions of the Holy Spirit in today’s scriptures. Paul is encouraged to go on with his work. He should not be afraid because he is not alone. The Lord, through the Holy Spirit is with him. One time or another, Paul and the other Apostles respectively rejoiced at their imprisonment, suffering, flogging, stoning and persecution, seeing all these as a way of participating in their own little ways, in the suffering of the Lord.
Revenge is a characteristic of people who are not with the Holy Spirit and not a characteristic of a believer. This is clear in the passage from the Acts of the Apostles. Sometimes when we are not able to take revenge on the one causing or offending us, maybe because the person is stronger than we are or because of something else, we end up venting our anger and revenge on innocent persons. It could be on the person’s partner, his child, his co-worker, his friend, or even his property, etc. This happened to Sosthenes, the synagogue official at the time of Gallio the proconsul of Achaia. This is ungodly and unchristian.
As we prepare for the descent and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, let us pray that He may heal our wounds and those wounds our actions have created in people. May He renew our strength, pour out His dew on our dryness and wash our stains of guilt. May He bend and sway our stubborn will, remove the chill from our hearts and guide our steps when we stray. Amen. May Saint Isidore intercede for us. Stay blessed and happy feast to all who bear the name Isidore.
WE MEDITATE TODAY, FRIDAY, ON THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES: ‘THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN, THE SCOURGING AT THE PILLAR, THE CROWNING WITH THORNS, THE CARRYING OF THE CROSS AND THE CRUCIFIXION’ (WE PRAY FOR SORROW FOR SIN, PURITY, COURAGE, PATIENCE, AND PERSEVERANCE) “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, sinners, now and the hour of our death, Amen”.
PRAYER: “KEEP SAFE, O LORD, WE PRAY, THOSE WHOM YOU HAVE SAVED BY YOUR KINDNESS, THAT, REDEEMED BY THE PASSION OF YOUR SON, THEY MAY REJOICE IN HIS RESURRECTION. WHO LIVES AND REIGNS FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN”.
Rev. Fr. Aloysius Kpiebaya, Catholic Diocese of Wa, UW/R, Ghana. (00233) 0207867239/0545462863.
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