Joy In The Holy Spirit
When I was in college during my senior year and during the last night of an incredibly blessed parish mission conducted by Fr. Carl Schmidt, CSsR and Sr. Mary Hogan, OSU, I experienced a joy that totally overwhelmed me.
At the end of the evening, Fr. Carl said he received a word from the Lord that the Lord wanted to release the gifts of the Holy Spirit upon everyone in the church that night. He gave a few instructions and all of a sudden the entire church erupted into the most beautiful singing and praise I have ever heard. I was up front in the church helping with the music ministry. I saw the look of joy as everyone was focusing on praising the Lord and I felt an incredible sense of happiness and joy rise up within in me and thought of the verse from St. John’s Gospel about how the Father does not ration the gift of the Spirit (c.f. John 3:34).
I already had my own amazing experience of the Lord’s love and goodness a few days before during the mission but seeing the Holy Spirit come down and fill everyone in the church made me incredibly happy and my joy could not be contained.
During this time of challenge we all need to believe in the goodness of the Lord and the gift and grace of the Holy Spirit to help us experience peace and joy in the midst of adversity.
Let us all pray for a deeper anointing and indwelling of the Holy Spirit. A few weeks ago a rather grumpy parishioner in one our parishes approached me rather negatively with a request. I was tempted to react but immediately heard the Lord say, “Don’t let this person steal you joy!” I didn’t respond in the flesh like I wanted to but said something kind and gracious. (That was not me but totally God’s grace!)
Let’s be aware of the Enemy’s tactics to try and unsettle and agitate us and counteract that by praying for a deeper anointing in the Holy Spirit. in Christ,
Fr. Jame Northrop
Pastor
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