GUILTY AS CHARGED?

" 'This fellow,' they charged, 'is influencing people to worship God...' " -Acts 18:13

Paul was dragged into court and charged with "influencing people to worship God" (Acts 18:13). That's fantastic! What a marvelous "blemish" to have on your criminal record, personnel file, or reputation!
Undoubtedly the Corinthian Jews were ready to produce any number of witnesses who could testify before the court about Paul's influence in their worship of God (see Acts 18:4, 5, 8). Paul left behind a solid trail of evidence, available for all to see (see 2 Cor 3:2). He was guilty as charged.
 
If you were charged with such a "crime," could your accusers produce any evidence against you? Would there be people now worshipping God, receiving the Holy Spirit, going to Mass, repenting of sin, or working for justice because of your influence? Hopefully, your accusers would find plenty of these people who could provide the evidence to convict you.

Today is the first day of the Pentecost novena, nine days of prayer preparing to receive the Holy Spirit in new ways on Pentecost Sunday. May our reception of the Holy Spirit this Pentecost have life-changing and world-shaking ramifications.  Come, Holy Spirit!


 Father, use me to bring many people to worship You in spirit and in truth (Jn 4:24). May they in turn lead many others to likewise worship You.

"The Lord said to Paul: 'Do not be afraid. Go on speaking and do not be silenced, for I am with you.' " -Acts 18:9-10

~MESSAGES FROM OUR LADY~

"Dear children! You are not conscious of the messages which God is sending you through me. He is giving you great graces and you do not comprehend them. Pray to the Holy Spirit for enlightenment. If you only knew how great are the graces God is granting you, you would be praying without ceasing. Thank you for having responded to my call. Medjugorje (November 8, 1984)
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"Dear children! You are absorbed with material things, but in the material you lose everything that God wishes to give you. I call you, dear children, to pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit which are necessary for you now in order to be able to give witness to my presence here and to all that I am giving you. Dear children, let go to me so I can lead you completely. Don't be absorbed with material things. Thank you for having responded to my call." (April 17, 1986)

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We pray for the Light of the Holy Spirit to shine into our hearts. Our Lady asks in this message of 1984 that we pray for enlightenment from the Holy Spirit, so that we can comprehend the great graces we are being given in these days. Light! O, Lord, be our Light!