September 7, 2023 Reflection – “I call you to spiritual renewal!”

“I call you to spiritual renewal!”

September 7, 2023

Dear Family of Mary!

St. Paul wrote to the Colossians to encourage them. He knew that living the life of a Christian in a world not yet converted was difficult. But he also knew that God would give them all the gifts they needed to not only persist, but to grow in holiness! I love to hear the way St. Paul described these gifts and graces. Here is the first reading for today’s Mass. Think about our present world as you read it. We need these same gifts today:

Colossians 1:9-14:
Brothers and sisters:
From the day we heard about you,
we do not cease praying for you
and asking that you may be filled
with the knowledge of God’s will
through all spiritual wisdom and understanding
to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,
so as to be fully pleasing,
in every good work bearing fruit
and growing in the knowledge of God,
strengthened with every power,
in accord with his glorious might,
for all endurance and patience,
with joy giving thanks to the Father,
who has made you fit to share
in the inheritance of the holy ones in light.

He delivered us
from the power of darkness
and transferred us
to the Kingdom of his beloved Son,
in whom we have redemption,
the forgiveness of sins.
The word of the Lord.

There is so much packed into two sentences!! It is hard to receive it all at once!! Here is a list of the gifts that St. Paul prays for:

Knowledge of God’s will
Spiritual Wisdom and Understanding
Ability to please the Lord
Good works
Fruitfulness
Knowledge of God Himself
God’s power and might,
Endurance
Patience
Joy
Thanksgiving
Deliverance from darkness
Experience of the Kingdom of Jesus
Redemption
Forgiveness of sins

God wants to give us these very gifts and so many more!! They are the fruit of our union with Jesus. They come through the Holy Spirit. Our Lady has come to us to help us to grow in these very gifts. Her program of holiness is all encompassing and she never stops trying to help us progress. Take this message from 2015:

May 25, 2000
“Dear children!
I rejoice with you
and in this time of grace
I call you to spiritual renewal.

Pray, little children,
that the Holy Spirit may come
to dwell in you in fullness,
so that you may be able
to witness in joy
to all those who are far from faith.

Especially, little children,
pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit
so that in the spirit of love,
every day
and in each situation,
you may be closer to your fellow-man;
and that in wisdom and love
you may overcome every difficulty.

I am with you
and I intercede for each of you before Jesus.
Thank you for having responded to my call.”

Our Lady tells us that the Father wants to fill us with the Holy Spirit, through the grace of His Son! Then we will have all the gifts St. Paul listed, and many more! They will be used for the sake of all our brothers and sisters who do not yet know Jesus! Praise God!

Come Holy Spirit!!!

In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
Mary TV