Saint Paul speaks of signs and wonders. I see the power of those signs in my grandchildren and great grandchildren. I choose them because they are close to me, but I have many friends that walk in the Spirit and just like myself , they have seen signs and wonders in their lives.
Some of those grandchildren turned out to be good students and have good jobs and some are in trouble with drugs. Some are in different levels of their faith walk. It doesn’t mean that they are lost or that the Holy Spirit is not working in them. It just means they need more prayer.
Newsflash! Not everyone is perfect all the time and neither am I.
Signs and wonders are everywhere in our daily lives and we need to thank the Holy Spirit daily for all those wonders everyday. Think about the times that you prayed for a parking space in a crowded parking lot close to the entrance and all of a sudden there it appears. Someone who does not look for signs and wonders, might attribute the outcome to chance. There is also the probability that the outcome could be a sign or a wonder instituted by the Holy Spirit.
In the busy world we live there is always an opportunity to step back and look at recent events and situations and see the Holy Spirit at work. One thing that I have noticed is that I have prayed before the event. Hello! Think back over the last week or month or year. The Holy Spirit listens.
My neighbors in Tulsa, David and Sue, are loving and good people. Five years ago the doctors gave Sue 2 and a half years to live. She is a true miracle. My wife and I moved here in April and Sue, has been in and out of the hospital many times during the past seven months. To help them out I would walk their dogs. Even one of the dogs was ill and they thought the dog was going to die. However, David changed the dogs “meds” and is now just a cute happy dog.
Happy dogs are good! Sue is now in hospice and that is a wonder in itself.
I have often wondered what happened to the dishonest servant in Luke’s Gospel today. This was a parable but how could this servant’s life have changed if he were led by the Holy Spirit. Saint Paul gives his mission to help the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed. This is what that servant needed.
I always pray the “Come Holy Spirit” prayer based on Psalm 104:30 which I have quoted at the end of this reflection. Praying and listening gives me the opportunity to observe and rejoice in the signs wonders around me.
In conclusion, Saint Paul quotes Isaiah at the end of the First Reading when he says, “Those who have never been told of him shall see, and those who have never heard of him shall understand.” When we see the wonders the Holy Spirit has made, we need to “reveal to the nations his saving power.”
God Bless You Always
Bob Burford
PS: Pray for Sue and my cousin Gayle who just had a lump removed from her breast. This is her second occurrence with breast cancer.
“Come Holy Spirit Prayer”
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and we shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth.
O God, Who by the light of the Holy Spirit instructs the hearts of the faithful, grant, that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolations. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.”
