The Promise of the Spirit. Acts Ch 1:1
In the first book, Theophilus, I
dealt with all that Jesus did and taught until the day he was taken up, after
giving instructions through the holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.
He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing
to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
While meeting
with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for “the
promise of the Father about which you
have heard me speak; for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will
be baptized with the holy Spirit.”
I am beginning a series of Posts focused on Pentecost, Acts of the Apostles and Baptism In The Holy Spirit. They will be in two parts:
These words by St. Paul are key to the approach we will be taking in the Posts that follow. A living vibrant faith is not a product of our own making. It is the result of the Holy Spirit working within us. As a person reads the gospels, they may be drawn to its message, impressed by the person of Jesus, and agreeing with much of what Jesus is saying. But this is not yet "living faith". When one is drawn to the person of Jesus, with a growing desire to get to know him personally, with a growing affection for his friendship, then we would say that a true, living faith has awakened.
It's here that we find the Holy Spirit at work in us. The Spirit draws our minds and hearts into a person-to-person communion with Jesus, showing Jesus to us in an intimate way, causing a true and deep affection to grow in us.
As with any friendship that grows deeper, one wants to be where their friend is. Presence becomes a growing desire, to be with, to see and hear their friend. This is where devotion comes into the picture. Devotions are the instruments the soul uses to come together with Jesus. Listen, talking, sharing, asking, affection, are all part of the dynamics of intimacy we know from our human relationships and so they naturally are part of devotion to Jesus.
In John's gospel there is the account of the disciples encountering the risen Lord by the sea of Tiberias. Jesus draws Peter aside and speaks to him about the important role he is to have in the Community of the Faithful, (the Church), that is to be leader and teacher; "... feed my lambs, feed my sheep."
But to establish Peter's readiness for this important role, Jesus does not ask if he understands the theological and philosophical implications of his office, rather, he asks Peter, in a deeply personal and intimate way, "Peter, do you love me?"
As we begin these meditations, this question, "Do you love me", becomes the question we will address each day.
I am beginning a series of Posts focused on Pentecost, Acts of the Apostles and Baptism In The Holy Spirit. They will be in two parts:
- A guide to praying Scripture and personal reflection.
- Study notes on various aspects of Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
No one can say, "Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit."
1 Cor. 12:3
1 Cor. 12:3
These words by St. Paul are key to the approach we will be taking in the Posts that follow. A living vibrant faith is not a product of our own making. It is the result of the Holy Spirit working within us. As a person reads the gospels, they may be drawn to its message, impressed by the person of Jesus, and agreeing with much of what Jesus is saying. But this is not yet "living faith". When one is drawn to the person of Jesus, with a growing desire to get to know him personally, with a growing affection for his friendship, then we would say that a true, living faith has awakened.
It's here that we find the Holy Spirit at work in us. The Spirit draws our minds and hearts into a person-to-person communion with Jesus, showing Jesus to us in an intimate way, causing a true and deep affection to grow in us.
As with any friendship that grows deeper, one wants to be where their friend is. Presence becomes a growing desire, to be with, to see and hear their friend. This is where devotion comes into the picture. Devotions are the instruments the soul uses to come together with Jesus. Listen, talking, sharing, asking, affection, are all part of the dynamics of intimacy we know from our human relationships and so they naturally are part of devotion to Jesus.
In John's gospel there is the account of the disciples encountering the risen Lord by the sea of Tiberias. Jesus draws Peter aside and speaks to him about the important role he is to have in the Community of the Faithful, (the Church), that is to be leader and teacher; "... feed my lambs, feed my sheep."
But to establish Peter's readiness for this important role, Jesus does not ask if he understands the theological and philosophical implications of his office, rather, he asks Peter, in a deeply personal and intimate way, "Peter, do you love me?"
As we begin these meditations, this question, "Do you love me", becomes the question we will address each day.
Do you love me?
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