Month: December 2024

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The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is an enigmatic wind that blows across the land, coursing through all in its path. Tearing down walls, destroying fortresses, and blowing open windows and doors, this mighty wind raises ocean waves and topples strongholds like a hammer smashing glass.

Descending unseen from above, it moves in the same manner of a Ghost.

And though with mortal eyes we cannot detect a definitive form, we “see” its certain presence the moment we feel it pass.

“Let it be said of Me what they will, but do not slander the Holy Spirit.”

For from this Spirit derives a multitude of gifts imparted from above.

Rushing, filling, giving, and sharing,

He brings abundant life to a languishing world in need of revival and rebirth.

Let no one dare stand against the Spirit

Who brings Heaven’s breath to race across the face of the Earth.

He cannot be captured, trapped, or enslaved as He rushes through and past

the first and last,

of all who stand awakened to their worth.

See the Spirit rise yet never fall…

and heed the Word with every single move He makes.

Hearken to His call,

as witnesses to the most astonishing, amazing things

He brings among us all.

Come Holy Spirit, enrapture us with the Mysteries of God, embrace us forever in the wellspring of Eternal life, and enjoin us to nothing but the Word made flesh in the person of Jesus.

Amen.

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Take Heart

There once was a man who fell into a very deep slumber, so deep his servants were unable to awaken him. Despite all their efforts, he failed to awaken. Fearing him dead, some departed, but his most faithful servants remained to protect and defend their home.

Day after day and night after night, they fought to fend off the relentless attacks upon their master’s home. Nearly overcome, they went to their master once more.

“Master, master! Please awaken! We are unable to hold out much longer!”

At last, the master heard their cries and opened his eyes.

“Why do you wail and weep?” he asked. “I have gone nowhere.”

“We are about to be devoured by the beast!” they cried. “Help us, Master, to defend your home.”

The master sat up and rose from the bed. Seeing his faithful servants fall to their knees in gratitude, he felt moved to compassion and pity.

“Rush to the front door,” he commanded, “where you will find reinforcements.”

“Yes, Master,” they got up to do his bidding.

“But take care not to leave the back door unguarded,” he warned.

They stopped, questioning, “Are there not enough reinforcements for both doors, Master?”

“You decide who goes where and what you want them to do. I have provided enough help to serve my purpose. Have you learned nothing from me?” They remained silent. “Who among you understands the enemy? Who among you sees what I have shown?”

One of his servants stepped forward.

“I do,” he answered. “I have,” he declared.

“Then what will you do?” the master asked this servant.

“I will guard the rear,” he replied, “for I am the shepherd’s sheepdog.”

“Then go,” said the master. “And do what I have taught you to do.” As the servant prepared to depart, the master called to him, “Protect my sheep!”

“I must go,” said the servant, “for the wolf is at the door.”

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The Apostle Thomas

St. Thomas, the apostle, aka “doubting Thomas,” is the first scientist called by Jesus. He brought to the apostolic ministry a unique perspective on God and science. When told of Christ’s Resurrection and subsequent appearance to Mary Magdalene, he responded, “I will believe when I see Him for myself; when I can place my fingers in the nail wounds on His hands and feet; when I can put my hand into the wound left by the sword in His side.”

When Jesus appeared in the room where the Apostles remained in hiding, He called Thomas by name and bid him do what he demanded. Thomas placed his fingers in the wounds on His hands and feet, placed his hand into the wound on Christ’s side, and proclaimed what faith did not allow prior to doing so:

“Truly, You are risen, Lord.”

Whereas fear kept the other Apostles in hiding, it was doubt that held Thomas apart from the gift of faith. One need not discover the facts prior to believing they exist. However, we do require faith to pursue facts regarding abstract and/or supernatural matters. To venture into such territories without faith, or with blind faith, leaves us vulnerable to the machinations of illusory powers. How does one then separate the Truth from the lies?

Sight is not merely a sensory perception. It is also an inner aspect of humanity comprised of the spirit or soul. We know such things exist within all living beings to various degrees. It exists within humans to a greater extent than other beings but only because we are fashioned after God’s image. How we develop that image to its fullest depends upon our words and deeds. We are given the gift of free will; to know and choose right from wrong.

Was Thomas wrong in choosing to question the faith of his brothers and sisters upon hearing the news of Christ’s Resurrection? No, but he chose to seek the proof first and faith second. Therein lies the conundrum.

Seeing, understanding, and unraveling abstract or supernatural matters demands faith first, proof second.

Blessed are you who believe without “seeing” and “touching,” for you are both seen and touched.

Blessed be our scientific brothers and sisters, for they seek the same whether they know it or not. Their pursuit to unravel mysteries benefits our quest for greater knowledge and understanding of God’s existence. In the process, we hopefully benefit from their pursuits to better the world for humanity, and they in turn, draw closer to a God who beckons them to look more closely.

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Angelic Assistance

December 6, 2024

His angels walk with me.

They catch me when I stumble and lift me when I fall.

Whatever wounds I sustain, they heal through the power of God and set me back upon my path.

Thank You, Lord, for their presence and protection.

Angels guide my course and direction, because I call on them for the Divine assistance they provide. They abandon me not in the face of evil, for they do not fear to go where I tread in service to the King.

For whomever calls upon the Heavenly Host in the name of Jesus, receives their absolute attention and grace-filled guidance. Therefore, call upon them daily, minute by minute, hour by hour. Take the hands they offer and make of them a strength filled device by which you daily walk in flesh and soar in spirit. They exist in every aspect of existence. Though perhaps you have not yet seen them, know they walk among us with the powerful presence of God. From Him they derive their supernatural ability to come and go, to be seen or unseen, to work the miraculous deeds of Him who abides in everything.

We do not call upon the angels as we should.

Whether you choose to acknowledge and call upon your Guardian Angel, or another, or all of them at once, simply call. They are bound to answer, to acknowledge any and all entreaties raised in the Name of Jesus. These guardians of the faithful are a gift from God the Father. Who among us has no need of such a powerful gift?

Then open it!

The rush of a Heavenly wind will sweep through your life, your home, your spirit.

It is one more way God makes His loving presence known; a most powerful way.

The angels continually ministered to Christ during His mission upon earth. He Himself made their presence known in Scripture, so that we could imitate His acknowledgement of their Heavenly presence during times of sorrow, great distress, helplessness, and fear. They never abandoned Our Lord, and even He spoke the words stating He need only call upon His Father to send a legion to His side.

Do the same.

Imagine, if we called upon the Heavenly Host at once in a daily manner, what power would fill the world. We could lose no battles once enjoined to them through the power of Jesus. We would become a Heavenly army like no other. Our strength, our courage, our faith, would become a power to drive back the forces of evil from every darkened corner of existence.

Therefore, call upon the angels.

They exist for us in every time, through every season.

Michael, Commander in Chief of the Heavenly Host, lead your brothers and sisters to dwell among us, to assist us in our efforts to conquer ourselves in willing submission to the King. Help us, dear brother, to live as though Heaven indeed exists upon the Earth under direct supervision of the King, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Help us to live as though the enemy is even now outnumbered.

Come, sweet Michael, in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Amen.