Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Live by the Spirit
Dear Friends,
A reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians (5:16 – 6:5):
I say, then: live by the Spirit and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh. For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want. But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit. Let us not be conceited, provoking one another, envious of one another.
Brothers, even if a person is caught in some transgression, you who are spiritual should correct that one in a gentle spirit, looking to yourself, so that you also may not be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he is deluding himself. Each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason to boast with regard to himself alone, and not with regard to someone else; for each will bear his own load.
I was at adoration at our parish last evening from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. We were only two for that hour. It rained hard yesterday so the farmers should be happy.
(Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Savior given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words.)
“I fill you with My love, peace and joy My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters living in the world. I call you all to open your hearts to Me every day so I can fill it with all the gifts and graces I have for you. May you be filled with the Holy Spirit that He may bring you all the wonderful gifts He has for you. You all need His gifts so come to Me and open your heart and you will be filled with the Holy Spirit every day and He will come with His fruit. He will help you to grow in holiness and to refuse to follow the works of the flesh. Those who follow the evil of the flesh will never gain eternal life. It is those who follow the ways of the Holy Spirit who will be saved. However, if you see someone doing evil, you should gentle speak to that person to change his or her ways. Show that person the ways of the Spirit and if he or she listens to you, then you have won another person for Me. Often it is by speaking personally to a person that he or she will finally follow the right way. Do not worry if he or she rejects what you say but what you have to do is to pray for that person. Indeed, it is very important to pray for those people. I bless you all and I fill you with My love.”
Father Melvin