The faith is not something which is dead and docile, but instead is found alive and well. In two weeks time we will be reminded of this in the most vivid of ways through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit which according to the Book of Acts came forth as a strong driving wind. Therefore, we can see that the Holy Spirit leads the Church forth to lead others into the abundant Harvest of the Lord.
So often we are not open to receive such a gift for we fear where this gift will lead us. As our Epistle stated: “Be ye doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving you own selves.” The apostles received the gift of the Holy Spirit and from it they did not remain self contained within the Upper Room, but through it they were sent out into the world to lead others towards Christ.
We hopefully hear the Word of the Lord day in and day out. Hopefully we not only hear this word, but allow it to seep into our heart and our soul allowing it to become who we are as one who is created in the image and likeness of God. When Christians fail to be doers of the word they do the faith a great injustice. When we live a life which is contrary to the faith it harms not only ourself, but others. It makes evangelization impossible on our behalf because we live for self and not for Christ Jesus.
It is time for us to be shaken out of our complacency and to realize the need to turn away from sin and to live for Christ Jesus. Some have grown comfortable and they thus see no need to turn away from sin because they have spent so much time rationalizing it in this life. They have allowed themselves to become desensitized to sin in order to live for the here and now. Therefore they allow themself to become a slave instead of being set free for Christ Jesus.
We must reject this notion and turn towards Christ. It is not enough for us to come to Mass when it is convenient. It is not enough for us to come to Mass, but not dare to conform our life to Christ. We can study Sacred Scripture and say that Jesus loves me all that we want, but that does nothing if we have closed our heart to living out the Gospel, not as we wish, but as Christ wishes through the teaching authority of the Church.
Therefore, we must each ask ourself what we must let go of if we are to live for Christ Jesus. Very soon the Holy Spirit will descend upon the apostles and so too the Holy Spirit continues to descend upon us to orient us towards all truth. We cannot deceive ourself any further, but realize that now if the time to live for Christ Jesus. May we use this time which has been allotted to us to live Him.
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