AVAILABILITY, NOT ABILITY

AVAILABILITY, NOT ABILITY

 

“He will not speak on his own, but he will speak…” – John 16:13

 

 In his early years, he was so shy, timid, reserved and quiet. The thought of standing in front of people to talk would send chills down his spine. “It is just not  my forte,” he would say. A few years after he met the Lord in 1995, he was called to serve Him in a very “special” way: to proclaim the Good News!    

Mustering all his courage, he answered, “Here I am Lord, I’m available. Send me!” That was the breakthrough in his life. From a timid and shy person to a Spirit-filled lay preacher.

As I write this reflection, the Church celebrates World Mission Sunday. Earlier today, I was speaking at the Catholic Charismatic Renewal gathering of the Archdiocese of Port Moresby exhorting people to serve the Lord, to go on mission. I told them this story — my story of transformation. I had no ability. I only had the availability. I relied on the Lord, and He enabled me. “Do not worry how you are to speak or what you are to say, you will be given at that moment what you are to say” (Matthew 10:19).

In that gathering, about 30 people, young and old, committed themselves to serve the Lord. Danny Tariman (danny@dtariman.com)

 

REFLECTION:

Do you feel that the Lord is calling you yet you feel you have no ability? Just say yes and He will empower you!

 

Lord, thank You for calling me to serve You. May Your Spirit continue to lead me as I deliver Your Good News! Amen.

 

BE COOL! THE SPIRIT IS WITHIN

 

When our time is almost up and we still have many things to say or do, we always end up frantic. Panic leaves even more things unsaid and undone.

The earthly time of Jesus is almost up and as He says in the Gospel today, He still has many things to tell His disciples. But Jesus is not panicking. He is a picture of a “cool” man even under pressure. He is not worried about tomorrow. He does not overfeed His disciples with His teachings, lest they suffer from spiritual indigestion. He already said in Matthew 6:34, “Do not worry about tomorrow, let tomorrow worry about itself. Each day has enough troubles of its own.” Jesus never worries; He is the best example of what He teaches.

Jesus has confidence in the other Two Persons of the Most Blessed Trinity. He trusts that the Father will send the Holy Spirit and He trusts that the Holy Spirit will fulfill His role in the economy of salvation. The Holy Spirit teaches in two ways. First, He teaches by clarifying what Jesus already taught His disciples. The Holy Spirit does this through inner illumination. Second, He reminds the disciples what they forget among the teachings of Jesus. Evidently, the Holy Spirit teaches nothing new. This is because Jesus is already the final, complete and definitive revelation of God. There is no new revelation Jesus.   

The Holy Spirit’s role as the Teacher of truth is to enlighten and to remind us about us. Then being enlightened and reminded of Jesus — who He is and what He stands for — we come to grasp the teachings of Jesus.

So, be “cool,” the Spirit of Jesus is within you. Fr. Bobby Titco

 

Reflection Question:

The Holy Spirit teaches by clarifying and reminding. Do I seek clarity? Am I open to reminders?

 

Holy Spirit, live in my mind that I may remember. Holy Spirit, shine in my soul that I may be enlightened. Holy Spirit, reign in my heart that I may love like Jesus. Amen.

 

St. Pancras, pray for us.