ALL IS POSSIBLE

ALL IS POSSIBLE

Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus.

Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and, found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.  Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name and at the name of Jesus every knee should bend and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord   (Phil 2:5-11)

How did this happen? How did it come to pass that Paul of Tarsus, a relentless persecutor of the followers of Christ, became His greatest advocate?  We know about his being knocked off his horse and blinded.  We know he went at Christ’s command to the city.  We know that Ananias was directed by God to go to Paul. He went even though Paul was practically a murderer in the eyes of the New People.  From there it makes a great story.  Can you imagine the reaction when the disciples in Jerusalem heard that the notorious Saul of Tarsus wanted to be a Christian?  

After the initial shock wore off, the efforts of Paul to enlighten his people to the coming of the Messiah had a powerful effect on the Apostles.  It undoubtedly took quite awhile but eventually they came to see that his grasp of the true meaning of the life of Jesus was nothing short of extraordinary.  There is only one answer to how this was even possible and that is the Holy Spirit was at work. 

From that time on it has been the Holy Spirit who speaks to us.  The trick is to learn to understand and listen carefully.   That is not impossible.  Despite the enormity of God, God is as close as your next heartbeat. The prophets all learned to hear and understand that the voice of God comes from within.  There is a knowingthat comes with the voice of God.  It is not limited to prophets or evangelists.  It is for you and me as well.  This is not spooky or weird, but as real as you are.  Again, however, you and I must get in touch with that Spirit before we can hope to understand what God wants from us.  

Thomas Moore, Catherine of Sienna, Dominic, Isaac Jogues and Oscar Romero, are just a few of the millions who have heard and acted on the voice of the Spirit because they learned to listen and to follow.  Pope Francis says we have to leave room for the Spirit and allow the Holy Spirit to be the soul and guide of our lives in our every decision. To live with the Spirit we must follow the SpiritGod.

You probably will never be required to do deeds of magnitude, but it is not for us determine what is or is not important to God.  Just remember to say each day, “Father, I live to do your will.”

We have not only to be called Christians; we must be Christians – St. Ignatius

Carol Lemelin OPA