Big Sky, Montana Picture by Dottie Papsadora
Our Blog is Inspired by The Holy Spirit
Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying:
“Holy Father, keep them in your name
that you have given me,
so that they may be one just as we are one.
When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me,
and I guarded them, and none of them was lost
except the son of destruction,
in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
But now I am coming to you.
I speak this in the world
so that they may share my joy completely.
I gave them your word, and the world hated them,
because they do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
I do not ask that you take them out of the world
but that you keep them from the Evil One.
They do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
Consecrate them in the truth.
Your word is truth.
As you sent me into the world,
so I sent them into the world.
And I consecrate myself for them,
so that they also may be consecrated in truth.”
Emphasis mine John 17:11b-19
So that they may share my joy completely, I, no we read this line and I knew instantly where we were going, as I pray you did when you read the Gospel reading.
But,
We are going to take a different track.
At this time in Maine, all of the Parish Priests take a week off in Bar Harbor to meet and get rejuvenated.
Gail and I go to Catholic T.V. to go to daily Mass.
Today’s Priest, Fr. Brogan, who teaches Theology at Boston College, gave a very interesting Homily which we would like to put in our own words.
In John’s Gospel Chapter 15, John calls His followers disciples. and in Bible .org Disciple is defined as a student.
Which if you think about it pertains to all of us.
Next Fr. Brogan said Jesus Called His Disciples Apostles.
- Definition of Apostle: The term “apostle” originates from the Greek word “apostolos,” meaning “one who is sent out,” highlighting their role as Christ’s messengers.
- Not all disciples are apostles; only those specifically chosen by Jesus, such as the original twelve, hold the apostolic title, which includes significant figures like Paul.
Lastly, Fr. Brogan said Jesus called us Friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. Jn 15:14
And what did Jesus command us to do?
A New Commandment, love your neighbor as you love yourself.
- For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
What drew me to his homily was the progression we can all make, Disciple to Friend, remember Apostles were appointed by Jesus or the early Church, as in the case of St. Paul
And,
A friend is willing to stick out their neck’s to help a friend, even if that person is a person they don’t know.
How?
prayer,
listening to them,
having empathy NOT sympathy
- Sympathy: A feeling of pity or sorrow for the distress of another; commiseration.
- Empathy: The ability to identify with or understand another’s situation or feelings:
Symphony does nothing. Empathy helps a person solve their problem.
If the situation calls for it, give them a card.
But, we pray you notice how our relationship with God has changed from Disciple to Friend, a very personal relationship if we are willing to throw out satan and live in the Fruit of The Holy Spirit and do the will of our Father.
Prayer:
If you want to grow in Love, Joy, and Peace this is a result of growth in Patience, Kindness, Generosity, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.
Sidebar:
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant. Then Peter approaching asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’ Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he had him put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. 33 Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.”
Emphasis mine Mathew 18: 21-35
We live in a time when civility for many has been thrown out of the window. Think we’re kidding? I could mention the names of Joe Biden or Donald Trump and there are some of you who would go ballistic.
Decades ago I went ballistic over an incident that happened in my, yes, my life, and the next day at Daily Mass, the Gospel reading was the above reading, and the Priest explained it perfectly which also convicted me.
What the Priest said was:
Jesus is the King.
The servant who was forgiven was YOU, and all of your sins, something YOU could never pay back.
The person you refused to forgive was Joe Biden or Donald Trump who have done far less to you than you did to God, or anyone else who has worked you over.
And because you won’t forgive or stop hating that person God will turn YOU over to the torturers until YOU should pay back the whole debt.
I left Mass that day convinced I would go to hell if I were to die. I righted the wrong by apologizing to the party, and made a promise that would never happen again.
Recently The Holy Spirit gave me the thought, “Why would I want to be turned over to the tortures for any reason? I also realized the term you should pay back the whole debt had a time limit, (Purgatory not hell which is eternal).
And our third thought is Joe Biden and Donald Trump or for that matter anyone else you are angry with doesn’t even know you are angry with them.
I also apologized to others, that same week, I had been angry with they said they didn’t even know I was angry with them.
How sad is that? I risked Purgatory and the people I had an anger problem with and they didn’t even know I had an anger problem with them.
As we typed this I also realized how important learning and praying The Fruit of The Holy Spirit is.
God is not an old man sitting on a thrown ready to condemn you, NO god wants YOU to be their friend.
It doesn’t get any better, and YOU control the agenda, do the will of your Father, Love God and Neighbor as yourself, or go your own way and enjoy(?) purgatory.
Card News:
Hi Fred ,
I look forward to your weekly blogs. I first read it with excitement and then reread and meditate asking the Holy Spirit to be with me.
Today’s blog about dying to ourselves and not saying anything when an opportunity presents itself has been my biggest challenge. I do not allow myself to step out of my comfort zone for fear of what people might think. So I’m hoping that your calling cards will help me with this. My plan is to wear my Faith tee shirt more often in hopes of striking up a conversation, using your calling cards, and being the person God is asking me to be.
Our faith is such a gift – something I need to not keep to myself but share with others. Just need to tell Satan to get behind me.
God be with you always.
Patsy
For me, and I pray for you, this is a very powerful email. Thanks, Patsy, and please never forget this is the result of The Holy Spirit working in my, and I now pray in your life. Peace Fred
Picture:
Hello Fred!
I am in Montana volunteering at a nonprofit organization. On a down day we took a ride to Big Sky ski resort the largest in North America. Still quite a bit of snow in May in the mountains here. If you find this photo helpful for your blog, please feel free to share!
Have a great Maine day as I am having a great Montana day! God bless you
Dottie Papsadora
Please keep Snapping!
And if you want the ten calling cards shown above, email me and I will send you my address, send me a STAMPED self-addressed envelope and I will send you ten cards.
Email me if you want a copy of the prayers we discussed.
fprince101@gmail.com
Remember, if you want to submit a picture, please do not include people. We have to get permission from that person to use their photograph.
