Message of 5-22-24

Published: Wed, 05/22/24

A Daily Spiritual Seed
Wednesday: May 22, 2024

Message of the Day

It is not only ordained clergy who have the power or ability to bless. Each of us can be a blessing, too. When we bless, it is God’s deep and vast goodness, or God-ness, in us that blesses another. When we bless, we touch another with the touch of this God-ness.

- Joyce Rupp, The Cup of Our Life

(Share God’s blessing throughout this day.)

Readings of the Day

Jas 4:13-17; Ps 49:2-3, 6-7, 8-10, 11

Mk 9:38-40

John said to Jesus,
"Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,
and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us."
Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him.
There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name
who can at the same time speak ill of me.
For whoever is not against us is for us."

USCCB lectionary

Reflection on the Scripture

“When a man knows the right thing to do and does not do it, he sins.” —James 4:17

Sins are not just what we commit but also what we omit. We will be judged not only for what we say (Mt 12:36) but also for what we don’t say (see Ez 3:18; 33:6, 8). We will be judged not only for lending our presence to things that do not glorify God (see 1 Cor 10:31), but also for our absences from the assembly of God’s people (Heb 10:25) and from other works of the Lord.

Before we were created, the Lord prepared a life of good deeds for each of us to do (Eph 2:10). He holds us accountable to do all of these deeds (see Rm 2:6; Rv 20:12). For example, Jesus warned the church of Sardis: “Wake up, and strengthen what remains before it dies. I find that the sum of your deeds is less than complete” (Rv 3:2).

If you are sinning by omission, repent and cry out for the Lord’s mercy. “He is an Offering for our sins” (1 Jn 2:2). The Lord will forgive. By His grace, we will do the impossible. We will do all that He asks of us. Live your life for Jesus to the full (see Jn 10:10).

Prayer: Father, I put my life in Your hands.

Promise: “Yet in no way can a man redeem himself, or pay his own ransom to God; too high is the price to redeem one’s life; he would never have enough to remain alive always and not see destruction.” —Ps 49:8-10

Presentation Ministries

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Spiritual Reading

Readings from Jesus Alive in Our Lives, by Philip St. Romain. Ave Maria Press, 1985. Contemplative Ministries, Inc. 2011.

Part Three, Gift of the Spirit

Chapter 5: Charismatic (Ministry) Gifts

- Selected quotes

Let’s first consider references to these gifts in the scriptures. There are several places where we learn of them, including lists of different kinds. As early as Acts 4:33-35, we read of a deep and profound sharing of gifts and resources by the Christian community, with the Apostles having a special role “to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power.” It is in Paul’s letters, however, that we find a developed treatment of spiritual charisms, especially in 1 Cor. 11. Here we learn that:

There is a variety of gifts but always the same Spirit; there are all sorts of services to be done, but always to the same Lord; working in all sorts of different ways in different people, it is the same God who is working in all of them (4-6).

Undoubtedly, Paul’s ministry informed this statement with many communities, and his observations of how the Spirit moves individuals to serve. What he wishes to emphasize is that it is all God’s work; we are to be content with the gifts given us to share and grateful for those shared by others.
Paul then goes on (7-11) to list some of the most common gifts, which I will enumerate below:

1. Preaching with wisdom
2. Preaching instruction
3. Faith, or willingness to take risks, depending on God’s care.
4. Healing
5. Miracles
6. Prophecy
7. Discerning spirits
8. Speaking in tongues
9. Interpreting tongues

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