Association Of Catholic Bloggers

This Sunday, we celebrate Pentecost, the birth of Christ’s Church, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles and confirmed them in the faith. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit graced them with the gifts of Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Awe. These gifts enabled them to go out and preach the Gospel. To be effective in fulfilling Christ’s mission, they needed: Wisdom, to know and aspire for the things of eternal life Understanding of the Divine truths Counsel of the Holy Spirit, to know the ways of God, so that we may fulfill God’s plan Fortitude, to bear their own crosses and fate awaiting them Knowledge, to know God, as well as themselves; to grow in perfection and saintly ways Piety, to find honor in serving God Awe, to be filled with reverence for God Get Ready to Receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit We are just like that scraggly group of men who became the first leaders of Christ’s Church on earth.  Read more...

“I the Lord search the heart     and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct,     according to what their deeds deserve.” Jeremiah 17:10 The gift of knowledge  is summed up beautifully in this passage. It is  like an heirloom of jewelry sometimes given to European children – each receive  a piece that is similar in its element and age but the jewelry itself is different depending on the child’s position in the family.  The youngest child  might receive a bracelet.  The middle child  might receive a necklace.  The eldest child  might receive their mother’s wedding ring.  In the sam e way, the Lord gives us various capacity of knowledge according to where he born us in society. He expects us to use this gift to the best of our ability. Overall, the gift  of knowledge is the appreciation of the heirloom that God has given to us – not ...

'From the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.'  Colossians 1: 9 Reflection by Malcolm Davies When I was  first a Christian I was convinced that I would grow so rapidly that I would be totally mature and integrated within a few years. The reality was  that each small part of growth would be followed by a challenge where I realised that my growth would be very slow. One book that  helped me on my journey was Interior Castle by Teresa of Avila. In that book Teresa describes the journey to spiritual maturity and how long it would take.  I felt encouraged  because I could see in my own life some growth that she described and challenged because there were insights that I could not embrace at this part of my journey.  I have come  to realise that God is patient and I have to be patient with myself,...

He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?”  Mark 4:40 Reflection by Willam Barclay ' God gives us peace  when life's problems involve us in a tempest of doubt and tension and uncertainty. There come times when we do not know what to do; when we stand at some cross-roads in life and do not know which way to take.  If then we turn  to Jesus and say to him, "Lord, what will you have me do?" the way will be clear. The real tragedy is not that we do not know what to do; but that often we do not humbly submit to Jesus' guidance. To ask his will and to submit to it is the way to peace at such a time. God gives us peace  in the storms of anxiety. The chief enemy of peace is worry, worry for ourselves, worry about the unknown future, worry about those we love.  But Jesus speaks  to us of a Father whose hand will never cause his child a needless tear and of a love beyond which neither we nor those...

'...we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of great opposition.' 1 Thessalonians 2:2 At the vigil mass  during the recent world youth day in Poland, Pope Francis called on young people today to be ‘courageous and free’ and to ‘leave a mark’ on our world. It takes courage to leave a mark! What does courage  look like for a Christian in today's society? It means standing for truth in a society where truth is reinterpreted according to one’s view; Read on:  http://susannetimpani.blogspot.com.au/

For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and self-control.   2 Timothy 1: 7 Reflection by Malcolm Davies : When I was  younger I worked in a team in the public service who were all young men and we decided to have a team lunch. Some of the  men wanted to go to a “topless” lunch place. I said I would not be going as it was disrespectful to women. One of them replied that women were part of creation and therefore what was I worried about. There was a lot of tension between some of the men and myself. I agreed that  women were part of creation and therefore should be honoured and respected and that for that reason I would not be going with them...read on: http://susannetimpani.blogspot.com.au/

The word  paraclete  means someone who stands by to help. It can be used of a witness, or an advocate to plead our cause. In the Gospel , the Holy Spirit is referred to as the  paraclete . In the day of trouble, we don't need to fear. No less a person than the Holy Spirit of God stands by to help. We just need  to trust. Adapted from Barclay When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, do not worry about how [ a ]  you are to defend yourselves or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what you ought to say.” Luke 12:11-12

In an effort to remind us to have the good judgement to not judge His children, as our eyes can only see a portion of the whole, our concentration should be on developing OUR best self. I envision  God reinforcing this gift through  Kenneth Slessor's poem: William Street.  ' You find it ugly, I find it lovely.' Search me, O God, and know my heart;  test me and know my thoughts.   Psalm 139:23 Read on:  http://susannetimpani.blogspot.com.au/

Life's path is  never straight.  There may be smooth stretches, but they don’t last. A dead end causes our plans to screech to a halt. A fork in the road forces us to make an unexpected decision. A hidden obstacle trips us up.  If we fall hard enough, the injury is not only painfully inconvenient, but sometimes it signals the end. Or does it?  Would it make any difference if we followed the voice of a trusted Global Positioning System? (GPS) This examines all the possible routes and – within its robotic limitations – directs us away from the no through roads and back onto the path. If we switched  on our inner GPS, by sitting in quiet prayer, we are likely to hear the Voice of God. However, there is one significant difference... Read More:  http://susannetimpani.blogspot.com.au/

How many times do we find our minds being 'unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind'? (James 1:7) Do you have a mentor in your life who will calmly tell you to go away and 'pray about it'? Sometimes I find that response infuriating. I can't hear myself think, let alone sit still and listen for the voice of God. Yet God 'is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him.' (James 1: 5) Read More:  http://susannetimpani.blogspot.com.au/

I'm working on a  new novel and I've struggled to understand the fundamental motivation of one of my own characters. I know what  he wants, but not why. I've had to 'interview' him virtually non-stop for over a week. While I walked, drove, cooked, stared into the computer…I've felt like shaking him, 'why? Why do you desire this goal? It's a crazy goal, but you desperately want it. Why?' You and I desire  many things; a healthy body, a successful novel, recognition in the workplace, a stable income, loving relationships. None of these are bad. Many of these God desires for us. Wisdom is knowing  that if our fundamental desire is for God, He knows best which of these desires He will satisfy. 'Seek first the kingdom of heaven, and all these will be given you.' Matthew 6:33

Wisdom Reflection by Malcolm Davies I've spent many working hours traveling around the country, waiting in airports. The most powerful experiences of prayer were facing the rising sun out of the windows at Adelaide airport. Those opportunities opened me to the gift of Wisdom - the integration of spirit and flesh. The one who gets wisdom loves life; Proverbs 19:8 Excerpt from: http://susannetimpani.blogspot.com.au/

Who doesn't enjoy  a beautiful wedding? Our senses are delighted with music, food, flowers, the colours and textures of fabrics, the transforming impact of hairstyles and makeup and the elegance of jewellery. Our spirit is lifted by the palpable joy between the couple. Like any event, weddings  don't just happen.  Hours of hard work, negotiation - conflict management - and careful planning have set the scene. My own wedding preparation was no different. When we requested a non-traditional hymn in the church repertoire, the musician obliged, but not before muttering, 'that's an odd choice of song for a wedding.'

I recently received the gift of tickets to see Andre Rieu. The concert isn’t scheduled for another six months so I've stored the tickets away until I need them. Imagine if I lose them! Or if I forget I even had them! I will never experience the true joy the gift was intended to bring me. Nor could I genuinely show appreciation to my generous gift giver. God has provided us with spiritual gifts with which to live the spiritual life. Over the next 7 months, the 10 Minute Daily Retreat will reflect on 7 of these gifts; one every month. In June, we will reflect on the gift of Wisdom. 'Don't turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you.' Proverbs 4:6 Join us on our journey! Reflections can be sent by email. Details on: 10 Minute Daily Retreat Blog