The following are words given by participants at the streamed meeting. 1 Corinthians 14:29 says that "Two or three prophets should speak, and the others weigh carefully what is said." 1 Thess 5:19-21 tells us not to despise prophecies, but to test everything and retain what is good.
At beginning of meeting, Scripture Reading Acts 4:29-31 - "And now, Lord, take notice of the threats they have made, and allow us, your servants, to speak your message with all boldness. Reach out your hand to heal, and grant that wonders and miracles may be performed through the name of your holy Servant Jesus. When they finished praying, the place where they were meeting was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim God's message with boldness."
Scripture Reading Mark 26:31 - "Then Jesus said to them, "You will all become deserters because of me this night; for it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'"
Prophecy - "Continue praising me. Praise me, praise me, praise me in the morning, praise me throughout the day. My children, I abide in the praises of my people."
Prophecy - "I want to restore you, my people. My people, I am restoring you. Stand firm. I am with you."
Dr. Mary Healy spoke on "The Gift of Tongues". 1 Cor 14: St. Paul is responding to the immature use of the gift of tongues and other gifts of the Holy Spirit. He tells the Corinthians to strive eagerly for the spiritual gifts. He lists the gifts which includes tongues, and he tells them that he speaks in tongues. Catechism #2003: "Whatever their character - sometimes it is extraordinary, such as the gift of miracles or of tongues - charisms are oriented toward sanctifying grace and are intended for the common good of the Church."
Tongues is a gift pf praying and praising God in a way that goes beyond human words, that goes beyond what can be articulated in one's own language. It's praying under the influence of the Holy Spirit in a language that you don't understand.
St. Paul also talks about tongues as a message. Someone can have a message in tongues for a person or a group of people. This needs an interpretation so the person should pray for the gift of interpretation either for himself/herself or someone else.
Miraculous element to the gift of tongues: That's when a person is speaking in tongues and another person hears it in their own language. i.e. Like on the day of Pentecost or St. Vincent Ferrer.
Fathers of the Church spoke of tongues in two forms: words understood by no one except the Lord, and the form of something that was understood by the hearers in their own language. As time went on, for the form of praying and praising God that goes beyond words, they had a different term: jubilation. St. Augustine said, "One who jubilates does not utter words, but a certain sound of joy without words. Rejoicing in exultation, one uses words that cannot be spoken and understood, but lets one's joy burst forth without words." St. Augustine: "Let not your joy be silent."
St. Thomas Aquinas: "When our mind is kindled by devotion as we pray, we break out spontaneously into weeping and sighing and cries of jubilation and other such noises. We have to serve the God to whom we offer reverence in prayer, not only with our minds but also with our bodies." King David expressed his worship for the Lord. He leaped and danced before the Ark of the Lord.
It's a humble gift, a simple gift. It purifies us. It opens us to other gifts. It's a gift for intercession. i.e. In Romans, St. Paul says, "We do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit, himself, intercedes for us in groanings too deep for words." It's a form of contemplative prayer, out loud. Contemplative prayer goes beyond mental prayer. Sometimes, it's singing out loud with a group of people.
Can the devil counterfeit the gift of tongues? Yes, the devil can counterfeit virtually all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We need to discern. St. Paul says, " Do not quench the Holy Spirit. Do not despise prophesying, but test everything. Hold fast to what is good. Turn away from every form of evil." (1 Thess 5:16-22). Anyone can seek the gifts of the Holy Spirit with an impure motivation, seeking power, seeking spiritual control. (i.e. Simon the magician Acts 8:9-25).
When we ask for the gifts of the Holy Spirit with a sincere heart because we love God and we want to serve him and build up the church, we can be sure that the Lord is trustworthy and will not let us be possessed by the devil. Luke 11:11-13 and Matthew 7:9-11: Jesus says, "What father among you if his son asks for a fish, will give him a serpent, or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
Debra: We prayed for a little girl who was covered with eczema and she's getting better now. Also, Debra had lifted up a man whose boat had turned over in a lake up North and he was in a hospital. They weren't sure how he was going to be. Apparently, he's doing well. Debra thanked everyone for their prayers and thank you, Lord!
Margaret gave an update on baby Roman for whom we have prayed. He is now one year old and thriving. Praise God!
A year ago, Richard had a nodule on his thyroid and they were concerned about it. They did a biopsy. Nothing showed up and they were going to check it in a year. I got checked and they said everything is O.K. And then last week, Richard asked for prayers for his annual heart check up, echo cardiogram. He was concerned because at first, the appointment for results was a phone call. Then, after the echo cardiogram, they asked if he would like to come in for an in-person appointment. However, the doctor said everything is just fine. The test showed that there is no change from a year ago. Praise God and thank you all for your prayers!
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