Thursday, June 21, 2012
Prophecy Greater than Tongues
Dear Friends,
A reading from St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians (14:1-12):
Pursue love, but strive eagerly for the spiritual gifts, above all that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to human beings but to God, for no one listens; he utters mysteries in spirit. On the other hand, one who prophesies does speak to human beings, for their building up, encouragement, and solace. Whoever speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but whoever prophesies builds up the church. Now I should like all of you to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. One who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be built up. Now, brothers, if I should come to you speaking in tongues, what good will I do you if I do not speak to you by way of revelation, or knowledge, or prophecy, or instruction? Likewise, if inanimate things that produce sound, such as flute or harp, do not give out the tones distinctly, how will what is being played on flute or harp be recognized? And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? Similarly, if you, because of speaking in tongues, do not utter intelligible speech, how will anyone know what is being said? For you will be talking to the air. It happens that there are many different languages in the world, and none is meaningless; but if I do not know the meaning of a language, I shall be a foreigner to one who speaks it, and one who speaks it a foreigner to me. So with yourselves: since you strive eagerly for spirits, seek to have an abundance of them for building up the church.
I thank the Lord for yet another beautiful day which we had yesterday; it was sunny and warm. I guess summer began yesterday, June 20th.
(Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Savior given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words.)
“I bless you, My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters living in every part of the world. I desire that you all receive some of the wonderful gifts of the Spirit that I have for you. Please open your hearts to Me and receive these gifts. The greatest gift is the gift of prophecy. Those who have this gift can speak in My name and they can know various things, which nobody knows. The gift of prophecy helps to raise up My Church and helps all her members to follow the right path I have traced out for them. One who has the gift of prophecy can also enlighten the people who are not aware that they are on the wrong way. Through this gift the people will come to know that they are doing wrong and offending Me. An example of this would be all those Christians who live together but they are not married. Some do not know that they are committing sin. So if one could enlighten them by prophecy, they would realize that they need to receive the sacrament of Matrimony if they wish to follow the proper way. With this gift you can bring many people closer to Me. Pray, My friends, for this gift and you can be sure that you will receive it. I love you all and I bless you.”
Father Melvin