Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Paul’s Joy in Macedonia
Dear Friends,
A reading from St. Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians (2 Cor 7:5-16):
For even when we came into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted in every way — external conflicts, internal fears. But God, who encourages the downcast, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus, and not only by his arrival but also by the encouragement with which he was encouraged in regard to you, as he told us of your yearning, your lament, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more. For even if I saddened you by my letter, I do not regret it; and if I did regret it for I see that that letter saddened you, if only for a while, I rejoice now, not because you were saddened, but because you were saddened into repentance; for you were saddened in a godly way, so that you did not suffer loss in anything because of us. For godly sorrow produces a salutary repentance without regret, but worldly sorrow produces death. For behold what earnestness this godly sorrow has produced for you, as well as readiness for a defense, and indignation, and fear, and yearning, and zeal, and punishment. In every way you have shown yourselves to be innocent in the matter. So then even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong, or on account of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your concern for us might be made plain to you in the sight of God. For this reason we are encouraged.
And besides our encouragement, we rejoice even more because of the joy of Titus, since his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. For if I have boasted to him about you, I was not put to shame. No, just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting before Titus proved to be the truth. And his heart goes out to you all the more, as he remembers the obedience of all of you, when you received him with fear and trembling. I rejoice because I have confidence in you in every respect.
(Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Redeemer given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words.)
“Be of good cheer My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters living in every part of the world. I want you all to be filled with joy for you are My friends. This is one of the gifts I give My friends. If you are far from Me, you will feel empty and often depressed because My great gifts do not reach you. Your heart is filled with darkness and sin. Repent then of all your sins and I will chase that darkness away and the light of joy will enter your heart. I often filled St. Paul’s spirit with My peace and joy for he was one of My greatest friends. He did My will every day. He was not fill with pride but was a humble man whose only wish was to bring all the people to Me and to have the experience he had of Me. Today I am calling you all to take St. Paul to heart and to listen to him. Yes, there are trials while living on earth but do not let those bring you down. Come instead to Me and I will refresh you and fill you with My gifts. I have all power and I desire to help you if you remain with Me. I love you.”
Father Melvin