Monday 18^th May – Monday of the 7th week Eastertide

Reflection: Acts 19: 1-8

WHAT KIND OF BELIEVER ARE YOU?

Every religion in the world has doctrines which must be accepted by anyone who professes it. Our Christian faith, being a newness of life drawn from a union with Christ requires an even deeper profession. True Christians are recognized by the fruits of the Holy Spirit which they manifest in their daily life (Mt 7:16, Gal 5:22).

At Ephesus, St. Paul met twelve people who professed to be believers but immediately noticed there was something missing in their faith; they lacked a manifestation of the power of the Holy Spirit whom they unfortunately had no knowledge of. What does your way of life portray? Does it manifest the presence of the Holy Spirit in you? You have received the Holy Spirit at baptism. Do you cooperate with Him and allow your life to be controlled by Him?

Dear friend, our profession of faith in Christ would be complete only when we manifest the divine life of Christ. Jesus tells us that certain signs would follow believers (Mk 16:17) and they would be identified because of their sacrificial love (Jn 13:34-35). Our Christianity would be mechanical and devoid of its life-transforming power without the breath of the Holy Spirit. Today, ask the Holy Spirit to renew you and lead you to live a true Christian life.

PRAYER: Come Holy Spirit, fill my heart; enkindle in me the fire of Your love. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 203 –What is Confirmation?

Confirmation is the Sacrament that completes Baptism; in it the gift of the Holy Spirit is bestowed upon us. Anyone who freely decides to live a life as God’s child and asks for God’s Spirit under the signs of the imposition of hands and anointing with chrism receives the strength to witness to God’s love and might in word and deed. He is now a full-fledged, responsible member of the Catholic Church.

 HIDE A TREASURE: “But the fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness ad self-control; against such there is no law” Galatians 5: 22-23 RSV-CE.

Readings for Today: Acts 19: 1-8; Psalm 68: 2-7; John 16: 29-33