Daily Meditation - Thursday 10April 2008 Easter Season - WE ARE ALWAYS IN FORMATION AND BEING LEAD

[BarbaraTherese]

Readings
usccb.org/nab/041008.shtml

Meditation
wau.org/meditations/meditations.asp?month=4&day=10&year=2008&x=10&y=2

My comment: The formation and work of The Holy Spirit is not necessarily something outstanding worth ‘shouting about’ in human terms, it can be like that gentle breeze of Elijah rather than the strong wind of Pentecost. As I become accustomed to the work of The Holy Spirit, I will be as finely tuned to the gentle breeze experiences every much as the strong wind ones. And The Lord always knows what is best for us, be it the gentle breeze or the strong wind and He is always at work.

Acts 8:26-40

Aren’t you amazed when you read the story of Philip speaking to the Ethiopian?*** Out of the blue, the Holy Spirit told Philip to approach the caravan and the next thing you know, this fellow is accepting Christ and being baptized!*** Far from being an extraordinary example of “Holy Spirit fireworks” from the Book of Acts, this story illustrates a central truth of our faith: God wants to lead and guide us!

It’s true. God wants to draw us to himself. He wants to bring us into a relationship with Jesus and move us to deeper faith and holiness. Jesus himself told us: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him” (John 6:44). Following from that, he also wants to move us to reach out to others with the good news of the gospel, sharing the blessings we ourselves have received.

• Like loving God
• and loving our neighbor,
• the Holy Spirit’s work in drawing us is twofold: first drawing us to Christ;
• then, moving us to serve others.

Do you expect God to move you today? How do you think he will do it?*** It may not be as dramatic as the pillar of fire and cloud he used to guide the Israelites in the Book of Exodus.***

• It may be more like the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit that Elijah heard.
• Experiment! Maybe the Holy Spirit will prompt you to greet your neighbor: Do it and see where the conversation goes.
• Remember, Philip probably didn’t know what the end of his story would be!
• Maybe the Holy Spirit stirs your heart as you pass a church: Stop and go in and spend a few moments with the Lord. Who knows? The Lord might use those extra few minutes of prayer to reaffirm his love for you in a way that puts the rest of your concerns in the proper perspective!

Throughout the Scriptures, we see God leading and drawing his people. He does the same thing today! As we practice our listening skills, we’ll get better and better at recognizing his voice. We will also become more and more confident that blessings flow as we answer his call!

“Heavenly Father, draw me to your heart.

Improve my spiritual hearing
so that I will recognize and follow your voice.
Lead me today!”

 

[bwhite06517]

In the First reading today we have:

Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” He replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” So he invited Philip to get in and sit with him.

In the Catholic Tradition, the Bible is God’s Word - but the Church through it’s history assists us with understanding the Bible. Most Protestants accept Sola Scriptura - or the Bible alone. But, that can lead to chaos - for example - some people / Christian groups have interpreted the scriptures to have only adult baptism; others (including the Catholic Church) interpret the same scriptures to have infant (and adult) baptism.

Having somebody / authority to instruct us in our faith and understanding of God’s word is important to properly grow as Catholic Christians!!!

 

[BarbaraTherese]

… …and giving thanks for The Church and those called to interpret Scripture for us…