Life-changing blessings

Be revolutionized by the presence of God’s Spirit

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I grew up in Massachusetts. Our state was the birthplace of the Revolutionary War when the colonists rose up and overthrew the oppressive British government. Eventually a new nation was born. The United States of America was founded on the principles of freedom and liberty.

The word “revolution” means complete or marked change. The Holy Spirit comes to revolutionize our lives. Because of his presence, a new birth occurs that brings us closeness with God, personal change and power to help us.

Many of us are familiar with the term “Holy Spirit.” All of us who grew up in any Christian denomination have heard of God’s Spirit. But the Holy Spirit is so much more than a theological term or doctrine. God’s Spirit is a living person who is alive and wants to transform our life.

In fact the whole purpose Jesus came, died and rose was to bring us “abundant life.” (Jn. 10:10) Jesus died so we could come to know the wellspring of grace that is the Holy Spirit. Many have encountered this life-changing blessing. Many more still do not know the Spirit. Others need to be refilled.

My call as a Catholic priest and missionary is to help people come to know the treasure that is the Holy Spirit. My prayer is that you will seek and be revolutionized by the presence of God’s Spirit.

The Holy Spirit comes for three main reasons:

1. Intimacy with God: Because of the person of the Holy Spirit within you, you can actu- ally know God in a tangible, real way. The Spirit is not only with you but in you.

2. Transformation in holiness: Besides coming to know God, the major work of the Spirit in us is to change us and make us “holy.” To be holy means to be separated from evil and become virtuous like God. You can change and God’s Spirit is the agent of change in us.

3. Help us: A prominent descriptive word for the Spirit is the Paraclete. This word in the Greek means the helper. The Spirit comes to help us in

every area of our life. God’s Spirit helps us pray well, make good decisions and actually leads and guides us in our life. Most people live independently. Christians should live depending on God, our help.

Some time back I watched the latest film in the Star Wars saga, “The Force Awakens.” In this movie a young woman named Rey is confronted by and forced to do battle with evil. She represents all of us who in our lives must struggle with darkness.

In the movie, evil took the form of Darth Vader’s grandson, Kylo Ren. He is powerful and Rey was very weak. But something happened to help her. She began to find out about this Force, this power within her to enable her to be victorious.

In a powerful scene Rey is about to fight the mighty Kylo Ren and instead of doing battle in her own power, she takes a moment to surrender in quiet. She got in touch with the force and then won the battle.

The Spirit comes to give us the power to be victorious in battle. We can face addictions, anxiety, grieving, operations, difficult relationships, as well as overcome habitual sins not in our own strength, but through the person of the Holy Spirit.

Don’t try to fight these battles on your own. Surrender constantly to the Spirit and learn how to win. You have within you more than a power or force. You have the person of the living God sent to help you.

My hope and prayer is that you would discover this treasure that is God’s Spirit within you. First, believe that God is there for you. Second, pray specifically for a new awakening to God’s Spirit. Third, surrender every day

Here’s a Prayer of Surrender to the Holy Spirit to help the process:

Holy Spirit, I believe in you. I know you are here.

I want to know you and experience your help.

I give my self and my heart to you now in total surrender.

Please fill me with your presence as I welcome you into my heart.

I need your constant help every moment of my life.

Revolutionize my life by your glorious presence.

Amen.