In my last post I compared Pentecost to being hit by a freight train or a tornado. I wasn't trying to be prophetic, but this week in the U.S. we have a graphic example of what being hit by a tornado means. If you have been watching the news reports, the people of Oklahoma realize that what is gone is their "stuff" their "things". Those things can be replaced. What they mourn, of course, is the loss of life. Let's return to the disciples at Pentecost. Their normal, everyday lives are now gone. Peter doesn't go back to fishing; Matthew doesn't go back to being a tax collector. Instead, they can now speak in other languages as needed, preach to great effect, work miracles, and heal people. But the price is being hounded, whipped, imprisoned and killed. These are not normal lives for the likes of fishermen and tax collectors. They are now, as Paul says, ". . . a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come" (2 Corinthians 5:17). That is the power of the Holy Spirit, the power of Pentecost. For reflection: Do I want that sort of change in my life? Am I willing to let go of the old in order to have the new? If I were one of the people in Oklahoma who lost their home, what would be most important to me now? Let us pray. Lord Jesus, inspire us to be whatever help we can to the people who have lost everything or to other people around us who are in need. Bring the people of Oklahoma consolation and peace and the energy to begin again. Open me to change. Open me to more of the Holy Spirit's work in my life.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AliceI started this website and blog on May 1, 2012. I am a Catholic who has been in ministry for many years. I first developed what I would call a close relationship with Jesus in the early 1970s. Ever since then I have been praying with people for healing and other needs. It is because I have seen so many of these prayers answered that I am so bold as to offer to pray for you individually through this website and phone line. Archives
July 2021
Categories
All
|