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The Spirit convicts Synopsis And when he comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation: sin, because they do not believe in me . John 16:8 Pope Francis has stated that we must stop masquerading before God in relation to our sin. We must take seriously the reality and nature of sin and the impact that sin has in our lives. It is not an exaggeration to say that our attitude towards sin has eternal consequence. Sin sounds and at times destroys our relationship with Christ. The Spirit of God convicts us of our sin not to condemn us but to convert us. In this statement we will see how the Spirit draws us to Christ by revealing to us our sin Key Texts John 16:7-8 “But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go . For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when hecomes, he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation: sin , because they đo not believe in me” John :8: 44 The devil was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks in character, because he is liar and the father of lies. |
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Discussions 1- In the spiritual life, becoming more aware of our sin doesn’t separate us from God, but rather it has the capacity to draw us closer to him. Also, in what seems to be a paradox, when we get closer to Christ we become more aware of our sin. The more light we have in our lives, the more we are able to see into the darkness. 2- Sin does not keep us out of Heaven: in fact, Heaven is full of men and women who have sinned. An inability to recognize our sin and repent is what keep us away from God. Discuss times when you have had an awareness of your sinfulness and more importantly, an experience of God’s mercy and forgiveness. 3-We live in a culture that is quickly losing any understanding of objective truth and every thing is relative, Discuss the impact this has had on you, your family and parish. Reflections Come Holy Spirit Take ten minutes and pray that your mind and heart would be illuminated by the light of the Holy Spirit. Ask for the Holy Spirit to show you one area of sin in your life to which God wants to bring his mercy Pray for and experience help in overcoming that sin. Within the next week, make a good confession end encounter Jesus thereWhen God forgives a sinner who humbly confesses his sins, the devil loses his dominion over the heart he had taken---- St Bernard of Clairvaux He will convict the world John 16: 8 |
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| The spirit’s freedom Synopsis “ When the Son sets you free, you are free indeed”-- John: 8: 36 The Holy Spirit brings freedom from fear, anger, and the past. So often Christians finds themselves bound by so many things and are not aware that the Holy Spirit wants to bring the freedom of God to them. Many are slaves to anger, envy, jealousy, comparisons, and addictions. You do not have to live life like that. In this segment, we will discuss how the Holy Spirit can bring you greater freedom. Key Texts Galatians 5:1 “ For freedom Christ has set us free, so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of dlavery” 2 Corinthians 3:17 “ Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” Spiritual Freedom “True freedom is a wonderful gift from God, and it has been a cherished part of your country’s history. But when freedom is separated from truth, individuals lose their moral direction and the very fabric of society begins to unravel. Freedom is not the ability to do anything we want, whenever we want. Rather, freedom is the ability to lives responsibly the truth of our relationship with God and with one another. Remember what Jesus said: ‘You will know the truth and the truth will set you free ‘ ( John 8: 32) Let no one mislead you or prevent you from seeing what really matters. Turn to Jesus, listen to him, and discover the true meaning and direction of your lives”- Fr Dave Pivonka, Tor |
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Discussion 1- Freedom is such a rich, powerful word. What stirs in your heart when you hear that God wants you to be free? 2- What does living in freedom look like ? For what purpose does God want us to be free? 3- How would your life be different if you were experiencing greater freedom? Reflection Come Holy Spirit Take some time or quiet prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you identify what it is that binds you. This may be a difficult exercise but trust that God is bigger than whatever it is that binds you. Is it fear, anger, an inability to forgive?
Ask for the power of the Holy Spirit to bring you freedom. Imagine Jesus breaking the chains that bind you. Be persistent in this prayer and experience God’s freedom “Freedom is the ability to live responsibly the truth of our relationship with God and with one another “ You are Free indeed --John 8:36 |
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The Spirit gives witness Synopsis “ We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit that God has given to those who obey him” --Acts 5; 32 The Holy Spirit gives witness to Jesus. We are not able to fully understand who Jesus is on our own strength, intellect, and power. The Holy Spirit aids us in moving from our limited intellectual perception of who Christ is and what he has done for us to a life-changing understanding of Christ. It is also the Holy Spirit who inspires us to give witness to Christ by our words and actions. This segment will look at how we are best able to cooperate with the Holy Spirit so that we may see Jesus as he is and give witness to him. Key Texts John 15:26 “ When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me” Acts 5:27-32 “When they had brought them in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, the high priest questioned them, ‘ We gave you strict orders[ did we not ?] to stop teaching in that name. Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and want to bring this man’s blood upon us’. But Peter and the apostles said in reply, “ We must obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit that God has given to those who obey him.” Discussion 1-Reflect on occasions where you understood more profoundly and personally who Jesus is. Discuss how you were able to see the Holy Spirit working. 2- What are your concerns or anxieties about sharing your faith? 3-Discuss the keryma and share your experience of each element: God’s love, that we are sinners, that Jesus came to rescue us, and the personal choice to follow him |
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| Refection Come Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit desires to reveal Jesus to us. Take some time in prayer and ask the Spirit to enlighten your mind and heart to Jesus’ presence. What does Christ speak to you? What image of Jesus comes to mind? Also ask the Holy Spirit to provide you with an opportunity to talk about the Lord to someone within the next five days. Pray for a sensitivity to this and be open to the Holy Spirit providing this opportunity. “Evangelization is never possible without the Holy Spirit… It must be said that the Holy Spirit is the Evangelizer”—Evangelii Nuntiandi # 75- Pope Paul VI He will testify - John 15: 26 |
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The Spirit remembers Synopsis “ For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit”—John 3: 34 It’s important for us to remember the great things that God has done for us. Often we become consumed with our daily struggles and forget all that Lord had done. We may also only focus on God not doing what we want of him. One of the blessings of the Holy Spirit is that the Spirit reminds us what Jesus said and what he has done for us. There is no limit to what God has done or what he desires to do in our lives. |
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Key Texts
John:34 “For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.” John 16: 12-14 “ I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, The Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you”. John 14: 26 “ The Advocate, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you” Discussion 1.What is it that causes you to forget what God has done for you? How can you better remember these gifts? Be practical 2. We only have so many hours in the day, so we must ration our time. In the business of your day how do you make time for God? How do you use the time that you make for God? 3. How do you share with others what God has done for you ? Reflection Come Holy Spirit Take a few minutes and ask God to remind you how he has been faithful and has continually taken care of you. Ask him to expand you capacity to receive him and allow the Lord to shower his love on you. In the next few weeks take an opportunity to share what God had done with someone else by performing some work of mercy |
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| “We must pray everyday: ‘Holy Spirit, make my heart open to the word of God, make my heart open to goodness, make my heart open to the beauty of God every day’ “—Pope Francis And Remind You --John 14: 26 Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy his consolations, through Christ our Lord. Amen |