Association Of Catholic Bloggers

I’ve been thinking about the Holy Spirit a lot lately, for a couple of reasons.   First, I am increasingly recognizing my need to listen to and follow promptings and movements of the Spirit.   Second, I am always so impressed with members of the Church who identify themselves as Charismatic. Not surprisingly, those who move in unison with the Holy Spirit often have an attractive something about them.   Is it humility?   Is it trust and hope?   Is it a certain kind of freedom?   I don’t know, but whatever it is, it is a beautiful charism. In his Letter to the Ephesians, Chapter 3, Verse 14 and following, St. Paul expresses his prayer for the strength of the people, saying, “that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith . . .” Yes, indeed, his Spirit is in us, giving us the power and strength we need to be witnesse...

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A presidential election is looming in my country. We have one every four years. Maybe I'd get more attention by demonizing or deifying a candidate. Or saying that nobody should vote, because "they" put subliminal messages in ballots. Oddly enough, I haven't heard that claim. Or I could express deep despair over the demonizing, deifying and drivel that dominates news and social media. I could do any or all of the above. But my heart wouldn't be in it. I am quite sure that no candidate is a fascist, the antichrist or a pawn of the Illuminati-pixie cabal. I don't even think the Illuminati-pixie cabal exists. More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

      Today’s reading (Ephesians 2:14 ff) is perfect for what we are going through as a country right now.   If you feel overwhelmed by the news, COVID and the election, this is the reading for you! In addressing the dispute between the Gentiles (non-Jews) and the Jews, Paul describes how unifying Christ is and that it is Jesus that breaks down the “dividing wall of enmity” and through his death on the cross, creates “in himself one new person in place of the two, thus establishing peace,” bringing reconciliation to all with God.   Through Christ’s preaching peace to all, everyone has “access in one Spirit to the Father.” Maybe Jesus wasn’t dealing with a pandemic or an ugly election process, but the turbulent times in which he lived needed to hear this, as we do today. The message is the same, and relevant. It isn’t for us Christians to promote division by our words and deeds.   Our work is to speak a word of peace into chaos; to be witnesses to Ch...