The Power and Works of the Holy Spirit.

Wednesday 4^TH September 2019. Read Colossians 1:1-8, Psalm 52 & Luke 4:38-44)_

 

_“And demons also came out of many, crying, ‘You are the Son of God!’ But he rebuked them, and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.” *(Luke 4:41)*_

Few days ago, we read of how Jesus went to the synagogue and was given the scroll of the Prophet Isaiah to read wherein he found the passage that was about him: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,” (Luke 4:18).

Today’s Gospel passage is a direct manifestation of these words in the life of Jesus. Inflamed by the Holy Spirit, Jesus visited Simon’s house where he healed Simon’s mother in law and that same night, the whole community brought to Jesus their sick and possessed relatives. It was a healing jamboree.

The following morning, Jesus rose very early and went to a quiet place all by himself to pray. This action of Jesus teaches us a lot of lessons about the importance of prayer as far as work is concerned. When we are led by the Holy Spirit, we cannot afford to stay away from prayer. To pray is to refuel one’s spiritual energy.

Again, that Jesus had to go to a quiet place all by himself to pray shows he himself practised what he preached when he told us in the sermon on the mount: “And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:5-6).

It is sad today to see Christians today who take pleasure in using prayer to disturb others. Some believe that if they don’t shout at the top of their voices, their prayer will be ineffective. At times, no one is able to sleep in my community area because of the competition among Churches with loudspeakers during all-nights. God is not deaf, He hears our prayers even without Microphones and Speakers.

Finally, even though Jesus became popular among the people because of his healing works, he did not forget that his primary mission on earth was to preach! “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose.” Our primary task as ministers is not healing but preaching. As St. Paul would say: “Woe to me if I do not proclaim the Gospel.” (1st Cor. 9:16).

Preaching is an activity of the Holy Spirit. The preacher is an instrument, a mouthpiece who delivers only that which he receives. “No one takes this honour upon himself unless he is called and chosen like Aaron was.” (Hebrews 5:4).

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, fill me with the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Wednesday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Colossians 1:1-8, Psalm 52 & Luke 4:38-44).