GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 20TH MAY 2017
SATURDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER
FIRST READING: Acts 16:1-10
PSALM: Psalm 100:1-3, 5
GOSPEL: Jn. 15:18-21
THEME: LIFE IN THE SPIRIT
There are many Christians who “have the Holy Spirit” and yet live fruitless lives. That should tell us, it is one thing to have the Holy Spirit and another thing for the Holy Spirit to have you. For fruitfulness, one would need to allow the Holy Spirit to have him/her.
In the first reading of today, we have an account of the second missionary journey of Paul. He embarks on this journey with Silas and later finds another travelling companion in the person of Timothy. The striking aspect in the account of the missionary journey of Paul is the role of the Holy Spirit. For example, we read that at a particular moment they were “told by the Holy Spirit not to preach the Word in Asia”. Additionally, “they tried to go into Bithynia, but as the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them, they went through Mysia and came down to Troas”. Moreover, the mission to Macedonia, we are told, was inspired by a vision. In sum, Paul and his companions were embarking on a mission in the Spirit.
There have been lots of efforts in the area of evangelization by Christians. Some of the efforts have yielded good fruits but unfortunately some have yielded brambles. The Holy Spirit is the principal agent of evangelization (EN 75). Those who yield to his guidance bear fruits and those who think they can do it all by themselves end up failing miserably.
Life in the Spirit is not meant for few selected Christians. It is meant for everyone who professes faith in Jesus Christ. It should be a normal experience for us to share with one another what the Holy Spirit is doing in our lives. For this to happen, we must yield to the Holy Spirit with a childlike simplicity and a docile heart.
As we yield to the Holy Spirit on a daily basis, our thoughts would be transformed and our actions would be inspired. Life in the Spirit is possible. Just ask the Holy Spirit for that grace today and He will respond to you.
PRAYER: Spirit of the living God, fall afresh upon me…I surrender to you this day. Have me and do with me as you please. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).