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.
Scripture Reading Proverbs 3:1-6 - My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Prophecy - My little ones, I want to tell you that I am wealthy with each one of you. I thank you for having answered my call. I have prepared you all these years for a powerful ministry. You have been faithful and you have followed even through times of trials, and I am very pleased with all your efforts to remain focused on me. You have faced many challenges but you will be greatly rewarded. Nothing and no one will ever take you from me. You are mine forever, healed in my blood. Thank you, my little ones, and rest assured I have so much more to give you. I am pouring out my Spirit again like never before. My love will overflow in you and through you. You are my blessed chosen ones and I am very, very pleased with each one of you.
Scripture Reading Proverbs 27:5-10 - Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Well meant are the wounds a friend inflicts, but profuse are the kisses of an enemy. The sated appetite spurns honey, but to a ravenous appetite even the bitter is sweet. Like a bird that strays from its nest is one who strays from home. Perfume and incense make the heart glad, but the soul is torn by trouble. Do not forsake your friend or the friend of your parent; do not go to the house of your kindred in the day of calamity. Better is a neighbor who is nearby than kindred who are far away.
Scripture Reading Psalm 105:1-5 - Give thanks to the Lord, invoke his name; make known among the peoples his deeds! Sing praise, play music; proclaim all his wondrous deeds! Glory in his holy name; rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord! Rely on the mighty Lord; constantly seek his face. Recall the wondrous deeds he has done, his signs and his words of judgment.
Scripture Reading Psalm 8:1 - O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
Vision - I saw a white carnation with ridges of dark navy blue or dark red.
We had two short presentations.
First one was with 2 Franciscan priests of the Renewal on Discernment. God has a will and it's good for us. We can learn to recognize what is God's voice, what is the enemy's voice and what is our own voice. It takes practice. It helps if we have another person who knows us well and helps us recognize that perhaps that is our voice, not God's. More often there are patterns in the way God speaks to us. Spending time in prayer and listening, journaling helps. Will it lead us closer to God? God wants to communicate with us and if we don't get a message, he'll continue the conversation. He's always with us and he's going to work with whatever we are going to do.
The second presentation was by Fr. Eric Giddens. His faithful companion is a yellow lab, Jake. The bond between Fr. Eric and Jake helps Fr. Eric to grow in his relationship with God. Jake is happy! Fr. posed the question, "Do I enjoy God's presence like Jake enjoys my presence?" Jake is stubborn. Fr. Eric asked, "Am I that stubborn with God? Where I've made up my mind what I want to do and I just want God to back me up?" Jake is so trusting. He always gets what he needs. Fr. Eric asked, "Do I have the same trust in God no matter what, knowing that with God I am infinitely loved, always infinitely forgiven? Jake is so patient. He knows that Fr. is coming back. Fr. Eric is not patient with God or people. He wants things done now.
In today's Gospel, the disciples have to wait for the descent of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will give them all they need to proclaim the Good News. They are not ready now, and they can't do that on their own. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus is always teaching them, instructing them. When the going got tough, they took off. Then they locked themselves in a room for fear. It is through the descent of the Holy Spirit that they will be ready because it's the Holy Spirit in them and not themselves that are doing what is required. But they have to patiently wait for that.
So, why does waiting seem such a huge part of our relationship with God? Waiting is when faith actually becomes necessary. It is in waiting that faith is actually developed. Waiting in silence never means the absence of God. God is already working, always present. It deepens our trust that on the other side of this period of waiting, we will have a richer and deeper, more alive faith that we did before.
God does not come on our time. God comes on God's time who knows best. He shows up at the right time. Our hope is in God. We just allow God to be God, knowing that the fulfillment of what is to come is always worth the wait.
A few months ago, Maria K. asked for prayers for one of the supervisors at the office where she works. She needed a new kidney, been waiting for years. Doctors had said that the type of kidney or type of issue, it would be extremely rare to find. She got the kidney three days ago. It's unbelievable. Praise God!
Lynn had asked for our prayers when her bi-polar brother passed away. Another brother intervened and said that their brother deserved to be buried with a Catholic funeral. He took on the cost, found a Catholic plot in Red Deer where he was buried at a reasonable cost. The priest came out. It was a great blessing! Lynn is very grateful for that. Thanks be to God!
We have been praying for Raffaelina's gazebo which was not properly constructed after a fire. She received a letter from the insurance company saying that the original claim's adjuster has retired. The new person then wanted to remind Raffaelina that there is a time limit to this case. Raffaelina knows now that the contractors have no motivation to do this quickly because they're hoping the time is up and this will blow over. So, we thank God that Raffaelina knows. Raffaelina then sent a note to the new person stating where everything is at. We keep on praying that all will be settled soon.
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