Monday May 25, 2009 of the 7th week of Easter

Readings: ACTS 19: 1-8 Psalm 68: John 16: 29-33
Response: " Sing to God, O Kingdoms of the Earth"

As Paul continued his missionary journey, he often encountered converts who had not received the entire message of salvation. Never a shrinking violet. Paul asked the present group if they had received the Holy Spirit. They responded they hadn't even heard of the Holy Spirit but had only received the Baptism of John the Baptist.
Much like the candidates from other Christian traditions who ask to be admitted to the Faith, Paul immediately Baptized them into the fulness of Faith and they also receive the Holy Spirit evidenced by the sacred gifts poured out upon them.
We don't see or hear too much about these recognizable signs of completion but we czn be assured we have received them by the confirmtion of our Church who was commissioned to so confer them.
You can recognize some of them in your call to know more about your Faith and as you practice it you'll become even more aware.

In the Gospel passage, either because they were enlightened, or, thought they were enlightened, the Apostles claimed to now know what Jesus was talking about. He had to remind them how shallow was their faith. Even though they profess enlightenment, Jesus, "knowing everything" as they said, had to tell them of their abandonment when push came to shove.
We like to think our faith is immovable. Mostly bcause we haven't been challenged.
If one of our chidren suffers a dibilitating accident or illness, does our faith strengthen? Or do we lose some semblence and call out to God, Why? Why?
It is our human nature to think we're always in control! When misfortune occurs our faith becomes more sure when we call out to God as the King of the earth for His will to prevail! Only at our demise will we know the reasons for God's will which we may have denied.