Daily Meditation - Wednesday 16July 2008 - NOTHING CAN EQUAL WHAT THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN ACCOMPLISH

[BarbaraTherese]

Optional Memorial
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

Mass Readings & Meditation
Readings

Meditation

Matthew 11:25-27

I give praise to you, Father . . . for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. (Matthew 11:25)

Revelation. This is the core of the gospel.

• Everything in the Christian life hinges on the revelation of the glory of Jesus to human hearts
• and the change that occurs as a result.

*** Intellect, will power, education***
—none of these
*** can equal what the Holy Spirit can accomplish***
*** as he reveals Jesus to us.***

The Bible and Christian history are filled with stories of men and women of every disposition who have done extraordinary things for the kingdom because they had come to see Jesus in a new way.

• Revelation is a divine gift.
• We can’t attain it through human wisdom and knowledge alone. The prophet Isaiah saw the Lord enthroned, surrounded by angels proclaim-ing his holiness.
• At that moment, Isaiah realized that he was unfit even to stand in God’s presence.
• However, once God purified him, Isaiah spent the rest of his life preaching to his people and preparing the way of the Lord.

Similarly, Jesus chose Peter—a simple, uneducated fisherman—to be the leader of his church.

• Through a revelation from God, Peter proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah (Matthew 16:16).
• After the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost, Peter became a bold apostle,
• leading the church through its turbulent first years.
• Through his ministry, he inspired thousands of Jewish conversions
• and even opened the door for Gentiles to receive baptism.

Peter was a simple, unschooled man, but he became a “rock,” someone Jesus could rely on in thick and thin.

All it took was an open heart, divine revelation, and human perseverance.

Do you feel inadequate for the task?

• Does the thought of being as dedicated as Isaiah and Peter seem beyond you?
• Congratulations! This means that you are not among the “wise and the learned” (Matthew 11:25).
• It means that you are perfectly qualified to receive revelation from God.
• He loves it when we are humble and open like little children.
• Who knows what plans he has for you?
• You just may become a prophet in your home or neighborhood!

“Heaven-ly Father, reveal the glory of your Son, Jesus, to me. Transform my life by your Spirit. I long to know you and advance your kingdom on earth.”