Inspirations at your Fingertips!

Wednesday of the Week 5 Mark 7:14-23 Is wisdom today a scarce commodity?  All people can have the gift of wisdom as Solomon has. Let's start with the the conventional definitions of wisdom.  It is knowledge gained by experience.  Life itself is a school where we learn the lessons of life.  We need the grace of the Lord to show us the way. Wisdom is also the natural ability to understand. In order to gain wisdom we need the following: knowledge, the heart to discern, and the right judgement untainted by evil intentions. In St. Ignatius' spirituality, he recommends that our decisions should be for the common good, for the salvation of others and for greater glory of God.  All these tie up harmoniously to produce good works on earth, the fruits of wisdom of God. *** Jesus teaches us the nothing from the outside makes us unclean; but rather what comes inside, for inside, there are 'fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, malice, deceit, ind...

Tuesday of week 22 in Ordinary Time Luke 4:31-37 We have heard the term "Life in the Spirit".  It is coined by the the Charismatics who in accepting the gift of the Holy Spirit, reveal it every aspect of life. St. Paul emphasized the capacity of the Holy Spirit to enable us to know God and to live in his ways. Jesus revealed his power over unclean spirits to the amazement of the crowd.  What does it mean to live the life of the Spirit? First, be aware of the earthly and heavenly realities.  The first reading emphasized the folly of simply living in a world way.  But the life of the Spirit is open to the promptings of God. Second, make a choice to live in the Spirit.  There is a world of difference between a worldly person and a spiritual person.  The later gives honor and praise to the Father. Third, trust in God. The word "trust" says it all - entrusting, committing, offering everything.  It is to mirror Jesus who entrusted everything ...

The Eucharist and rebirth in the Spirit John 3:7-15  The Eucharist is the instrument of God's loving mercy in the world. It is also a powerful tool for interior conversion and of being filled with the Holy Spirit. We who participate in the Holy Eucharist and receive the body and blood of Jesus are called to live him out 24 hours a day.  We are called to a deeper sensitivity to a Spirit-filled life. The Christian who patterns his life after Jesus becomes an "Alter Christus" and not just a "good person".  One could be good, and yet, not adhere to the will of Jesus nor follow his path.  They are good in themselves and not according to how Jesus forms them. A life patterned after Jesus is living a life of the Holy Spirit.  We can only ensure this life if according to St. Ignatius, our discernment starts in the Holy Spirit, proceeds in the Holy Spirit, and ends in the Holy Spirit. It starts in the Holy Spirit if in the very start, it is objectively good a...

How do we know which come from God? 1. test the spirit 2. acknowledge Jesus 3. follow his word

Even though Jesus is not here   John 16:5-11 At this time in the liturgy, Jesus is getting ready to ascend to heaven. But he is giving his last minute instructions before his last departure. He is not going to leave us as orphans.  Rather, he will send the Holy Spirit; then we shall understand what is right and what is wrong. In the first reading, Paul and companions are experiencing what Jesus also experienced in his life - rejection.  On the other hand, they are also experiencing the miracle of being free. What constitutes real freedom?  Freedom is intimately connected with knowledge and life of truth.  Truth is what we learn from Jesus to help to be truly free. Even though it's 2000 years from the time of Christ's life, we continue to experience his truth as if Jesus were near us.  Only through the Holy Spirit can we say that Jesus has not abandoned us; and he continues to work in the world because he is with us.

"To glorify the Father" St. Paul delivered a farewell speech that moved the whole Christian community at Ephesus - he was to be delivered to Jerusalem to be persecuted and tried. This is reminiscent of Jesus who readied himself and the apostles to what awaited him in Jerusalem - crucifixion - all because of love. As we are readied by the Church to live life in the Spirit, the Word exhorts us to be faithful to Jesus who was glorified by the Father as he glorifies Him.  This is the true mark of the Holy Spirit - none of my life and glory belong to me; everything belongs to the Father.  Every act, gesture, and intention glorifies Jesus and the Father. To glorify Jesus and the Father also means fulfilling the mission entrusted to us the moment we were born.  Whatever that mission is, it will end up fulfilling what God wants for all of us here on earth - life. Thus, let us live lives in the Spirit.  As Jesus says, we are in the world but not of this world. ...