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MAY A.D. 2012 These
things I have spoken to you, while I am still with you.
But
the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom
the Father will send in My Name, He
will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all
that I have said to you. Peace
I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not
as the world gives do I give to you.
Let
not your hearts be troubled; neither let them be afraid. – St. John 14.25-27 Dear
Members and Friends of St. Martin’s, AMONG the many
celebrations and commemorations encountered during the month of
May, our hearts and minds turn primarily toward the celebration
of the fulfillment of Our Lord’s promise cited above: the
Father’s sending of the Holy Spirit upon His Church at
Pentecost. Pentecost
Sunday is May 27.
The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Blessed and
Undivided Trinity. He
is the Author of inward holiness and of all supernatural gifts
and graces. To Him
is especially ascribed the work of our sanctification.
This work is accomplished as the Holy Spirit
enlightens us that we may know the truth of religion and
salvation and the beauty of virtue.
The Holy Spirit moves us to desire, aim after, and love
the things of God. By
the Holy Spirit our hearts are renewed by forgiveness and the
cleansing from sin. By
His gifts and graces we are sanctified, and by His presence in
our lives we are enabled to bring forth the wonderful fruits of
holiness: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5.22-23).
The Prophet Isaiah tells us of the seven gifts of the
Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11.2-3): The gift of Wisdom enables
us to know God, and to esteem Him above everything else,
including any and all temporal advantages.
By this gift we learn to delight ourselves in divine
things. The gift of Understanding
enables us to know and understand that which our faith proposes
to our belief. It is
for this gift that we should especially pray before reading the
Scriptures, listening to a sermon, or attending a Bible class.
Having the knowledge to direct ourselves and others when
we are in doubt is the goal of the gift of Counsel.
Strengthening for endurance and courage to overcome all
adversities and persecutions encountered for the sake of Christ
come to us through the gift of Fortitude.
The gift of Knowledge, similar to the gift of
Understanding, helps us to know ourselves, our duties and
responsibilities, and how to discharge them in a manner pleasing
to God. Piety,
the gift which induces us to have God in view in all our
actions, infuses love in our hearts for God’s service.
Finally, the gift of the Fear of the Lord is not
only the gift which fills us with awe at the knowledge of God
and the things of God, it also teaches us rightly to fear
God’s just punishment and His displeasure at every sin, more
than all other things in the world.
How much we need these gifts, especially today,
especially in the Church! As
the Church appears these days to become more and more listless
and complacent, we must pray that God would send His Spirit into
our midst like a refining fire.
As worldliness crowds in upon the Church, and temptation
to forsake what is central and critical to our life and faith
together becomes more commonplace, we should pray that the Holy
Spirit provide us strength and skill in our use of the weapons
He has supplied: the Word of God and prayer.
When filled with anxiety and sorrow, we should ask the
Comforter to bind up our wounded hearts that we might continue
in the work He has placed before us.
And when the troubles and cares of this life, which are
many, seem about to overwhelm us, we should pray that we may be
upheld in the faith and taught confidently to ask for His help,
knowing that He will take care of us.
O Holy Spirit of Truth, dispel from our minds all
doubts and errors that would disturb our trust in God’s saving
love and rob us of our eternal hope.
O God of mercy, take not Your Holy Spirit from us;
rather, let Him dwell in our hearts that by Him we may be
sanctified. In our
Savior’s Name we pray. Amen.
And speaking of the Holy Spirit and prayer: I invite all
of us once again to join in praying the Novena to the Holy
Spirit, a nine day period of intentional prayer, beginning the
Friday after Ascension Thursday, May 18.
The form for use is included in this newsletter.
It may be used on its own, or added to your regular daily
prayer. However you
use it, I pray that you will use it for God’s glory,
and to help prepare yourself for a joyful and meaningful
celebration of Pentecost. I
remain... Faithfully
yours in the friendship of Christ and St. Martin, Rev.
Troy G. Waite Pastor
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Message
from our Pastor, Rev. Troy G. Waite