... And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. – Acts 4:31

       My first encounter with the Holy Spirit was on a Pentecost Sunday many years ago. I was in a prayer meeting and I heard our leader say, “Speak, Lord, for we are listening.”

       I closed my eyes so I could hear, when all of a sudden, I felt warm. Then with my eyes closed, I saw a small flame on top of the head of our leader, and then slowly, one by one, everyone in the room had the same. It was a vision. I wanted to open my eyes but I couldn’t because I suddenly heard myself say, “My children, I love you. And I am sending you the Holy Spirit. Go and spread My love.”

       I felt numb and my tears fell. Then I heard a voice from the back of the room say, “I love you, my children.” It was a confirmation of the prophecy I had just received. Some more words came from someone else in the room, but the vision of flames on top of our heads was a scene that stayed for sometime.

       Today, I continue to see the same scene from time to time, as if it was happening all over again. Chelle Crisanto (ellehcmaria@yahoo.com)

Reflection: Imagine yourself in the Upper Room where Jesus was with the Apostles. Then the Holy Spirit comes to each one, including you.

Lord, let the words flow as I speak about You and Your love. I pray that people may see You in me and believe in what I say.

St. Martin I, pope and martyr, pray for us.

11^ST READING

23 After their release Peter and John went back to their own people and reported what the chief priests and elders had told them. 24 And when they heard it, they raised their voices to God with one accord and said, “Sovereign Lord, maker of heaven and earth and the sea and all that is in them, 25 you said by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of our father David, your servant: Why did the Gentiles rage and the peoples entertain folly? 26 The kings of the earth took their stand and the princes gathered together against the Lord and against his anointed. 27 “Indeed they gathered in this city against your holy servant Jesus whom you anointed, Herod and Pontius Pilate, together with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do what your hand and your will had long ago planned to take place. 29 And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and enable your servants to speak your word with all boldness, 30 as you stretch forth your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 As they prayed, the place where they were gathered shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

R: Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord.

1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples utter folly? 2 The kings of the earth rise up, and the princes conspire together against the Lord and against his anointed: 3 “Let us break their fetters and cast their bonds from us!” (R) 4 He who is enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord derides them. 5 Then in anger he speaks to them; he terrifies them in his wrath: 6 “I myself have set up my king on Zion, my holy mountain.” 7 I will proclaim the decree of the Lord. (R) The Lord said to me, “You are my son; this day I have begotten you. 8 Ask of me and I will give you the nations for an inheritance and the ends of the earth for your possession. 9 You shall rule them with an iron rod; you shall shatter them like an earthen dish.” (R)

We enter the life of the Spirit in baptism. Every Christian experiences the grace of the Spirit at work in their lives, leading them to proclaim the Gospel and to witness to the work of salvation. Unfortunately, we are given very little catechesis on the life of the Spirit and so, we fail to ask the Holy Spirit to transform our lives by His grace and gifts.

If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

1 There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?” 5 Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. 6 What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8 The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it  comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

think: It is wrong for the Church to remain silent. We must continue to witness to the truth of the Gospel in the world.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Leviticus 22-24

SEEKING AND FINDING

Nicodemus was no ordinary man. He was a Pharisee, described as “a ruler of the Jews.” He was a luminary, someone who could be expected to bring light to people in darkness. But Nicodemus “came to Jesus at night” with a message that was as enlightened as it was sincere: “We know that you are a teacher who has come from God.” Nicodemus was not just learned. He was an enlightened believer, but one who probably hesitated to come out fully into the open with his fledgling faith.

       There are times when I feel like Nicodemus. We are convinced of certain truths but not entirely passionate about getting them across or sharing them with others. In a pluralist society that prefers to keep religious matters in the confines of the sacristy and in the privacy of one’s home, one is forced to keep one’s faith personal and not flaunt it for everyone to see.

       Like Nicodemus with his cryptic faith, we believe but we don’t actively show what we do. We give in to the culture that expects everyone to keep one’s faith as a private, personal matter. Now, this is a little problematic. Let me tell you why. Those who are faithless are very vocal about it. It is now fashionable to be cool and chic — and being such means one is liberated, not tied up to man-made traditions, and definitely someone with an open mind (read: not believing in ancient dogmas!).

       Elizabeth Scalia calls this “idolatry.” We make idols of ourselves (the idol of “I”), the idol of the “idea,” along with the idolatry of “coolness and sex,” to list just three. It’s cool to be open-minded and not imprisoned in ancient doctrines. It’s cool to be like all others who keep their faith private and hidden. And even if you believe, it’s not cool to let others know. Go ask your questions, but do so under cover of darkness!

       Nicodemus might have come in the night, but he was an enlightened seeker and learner. He asked — and got answers. Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Do you readily share your faith with others? Or do you keep it to yourself?

Dear Lord, make me courageous enough to share my faith openly and with passion to the people around me, especially those who will benefit from it.