Our restoration

Paul in conclusion to his 2nd letter to the Corinthians coax everyone to greet one another with a holy kiss as all the holy ones welcome them. Likewise in finale, he said, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you” (2 Cor. 13:12-13-NAB).

It should be noted that the name of Jesus Christ was mentioned first in this Trinitarian order. It reflects that the name of Christ is being emphasized first since it is through him that an actual process of Christian salvation was made manifest. Christ as an opener, which serves as an aperture into the abyss of insights that flood the enlightened believers, therefore functions as the key to the wonderful things even little miracles experienced by the Trinitarians.

Our consciousness is being instigated that we may then open our eyes to deeper truths. Likewise this chance harnesses our will to encourage each other to renew our love for our brothers and sisters in the Christian family, and develop our will to commune together.

In the sustaining work that leads us to the holy living obedience to the Son, the Spirit redeems us and we receive knowledge as the Father chooses us. With the rejoicing in praise and worship, as the Christians obtain focus, we are then being guided that in our insights may arise a revelation regarding the future coming of Christ, as it may then be known to the Jews that he was the messiah who obtains his wounds from the house of his friends (Zechariah 13:6).

The detailed analysis from the scriptures serves as support that to our hearts we may understand that we should unify the believers, as Jesus and the Father are one in communion with the Holy Spirit as they share the same spirit. This is revealed through the crystallized greetings of John to the seven churches in Asia: grace to you and peace from who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth (Revelation 1:4-5).

With this revelation, we are also encouraged to start a devotion to the holy Trinity, being the undivided unity that is the highest form of devotion as we may then be enlightened to the workings of the Holy Spirit, that our mind and heart may serve as illumined rays making us as light to others, that they too may receive foreknowledge from the Father and obtain revelation regarding the mystery of God.

Let’s allow the Spirit to push us, that we may encourage others too with us serving as light and salt to the earth. Knowing well from the Father as this is revealed through the Holy Spirit that dwelt in the Jesus paraclete, we too take part from the Trinitarian unity of which as Jesus is one with the Father, we are also one with Jesus, making us an extension in duality with the Master. If we were only observant of the nature of the Spirit that we receive through the indwelling of this in us, we would also feel the rupture of emotions, as we are in-filled with the Holy Ghost.

This indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the great mystery beyond human control. All you have to do is to be open as we are in praise and worship, and allow the Spirit paraclete to move in us as our eyes are closed. Making you stammer and speak in plain strange language is not the end of the in-filling but a possibility that through listening to others who are in tongues too, interpreting this would make you be endowed with the gift of prophecy.

The release of the Holy Spirit through healing, laying of hands and guided free praising/praying in tongues, is all you need to make our restoration complete as we may obtain both repentance, baptism and receiving of the Holy Spirit which are representation of the “gospel” this being ‘death, burial and resurrection’ (I Corinthians 15:1-3) as revealed in Acts 2:38-NAB: “Repent, and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

In testimony that the Spirit continues to move in us, we read: “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim (Acts 2:4).” This revealed truth only signify that the speaking in tongues did not end in Judea and Samaria but also it continues in the uttermost part of the earth in the circle of the very Gentiles, of which we are regarded as such now.

As you have had repentance and baptism, the only thing you need to complete your plan of salvation is the receiving of the Holy Ghost and His gifts. For “it will come to pass that in the last days,” God says, “I will pour out a portion of my spirit upon all flesh. Your sons and daughters shall prophesy. Your young men shall see visions; your old men shall dream dreams… I will pour out a portion of my spirit in those days, and they shall prophesy (Acts 2:17-18).

Let us try to obtain the gift of the Holy Spirit particularly the speaking in tongues that the vessel, which is our body, shall be continually cleansed for us then to obtain pureness of thoughts and receive healing. In the time that we feel dry, we only have to obtain the refreshing in the Holy Ghost (Acts 3:19).

Sojourners of earth

The Lord our God though perfect He is, was tempted while in bodily form as the Son Jesus Christ. The devil took him to the holy city, and made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down (Matthew 4:5-6).” The devil cited, “angels with their hands will support you, and your feet shall not be hurt.”

Jesus likewise has this answer, “You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test (Matthew 4:7).” Again the devil was very insistent, for he took Jesus to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, and said, “These shall be yours if you prostrate yourself and worship me (Matthew 4:8-9).”

The Lord Jesus was quick with his answer: “Get away behind, the Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve (Matthew 4:10).” It is for God alone shall we bestow worship, though as Catholics we pray that the Virgin Mary intercede on our behalf.

Jesus was sturdy with his articulation, as he said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill (Matthew 5:17).” He was steadfast in all his ways as a God appearing in the form of a human, and was godlike in his gestures and speech, though he also smiles even laugh as mentioned in Psalms 37:13: “The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seethes that his day is coming (KJV).”

Accordingly, even though some may speak in tongues, they utter of God’s righteousness praising him even all day long (Psalm 35:28). As those of them are filled with insights, the Lord did guide them cleansing their mind and hearts. ‘Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the scripture (Luke 24:27-NAB).’

If we try to analyze, Jesus did receive temptations but was firm to stand away and against those enticements, and was pure in his thoughts knowing only the Father for superiority and that though he was not subordinate being entwined with the Father, did not count equality with God as his recourse but that he may humble himself for the fulfillment of the mission to redeem man from sin.

He brought himself low in human form for equality among us being his brothers, living alike of our nature, joyful and compassionate and observes everyone that he may take recourse in the time that his help is needed. He wants us to grow and be strong to rise up if we stumble, yet he was ready with his arms enwrapped on us should we need a cane or an immediate rescue.

Our Lord sees all things, listens to everyone and is not deaf to our aspirations for he hears all the things we say, and is ready for an advice even offering material help, that we may know that we are not alone even though we feel far from God. He is intimate to those who seek him and explore his wonders, dying for his love and closeness.

The Lord has eyes to see our condition. He observes us who are led astray, as it is written: ‘a stray sheep was Israel that lions pursued (Jeremiah 50:17).’ As we continue in verse 20: ‘In those days, at that time,’ says the Lord: ‘they shall seek Israel’s guilt, but shall be no more, and Judah’s sins, but these shall no longer be found; for I will forgive the remnant I preserve.’

So God is not deaf to our pleadings, even not blind to our torments; how we suffer from pain because of broken families, how we are ill as a result of disease and how we are in anguish as a consequence of the many problems we heap upon us inasmuch as we are mortals and are of corruptible bodies that even our souls can be ruined.

When I was in Novaliches in the formation house of the Franciscan Conventual, while in full lotus and my mind was bare and empty, my inner eye saw the torso coming down from the cross while from the invisible arms and waist extend rays of bright lights while silver and gold dashes shower on the image and me. And the word came from the mouth of the figure, asking me, “Which would you prefer,” he said, “Me or life?”

Because, I could no longer breathe as my breath is suspended, I immediately answered, “Life Sir.” And the vision ends and I found myself still sitting in the full lotus as I lean at the back of the church’s altar table. Of course to me, I may have clung to the right choice since Jesus is not only the way and the truth but also the life. Could I have fallen to a deception, I may have died that very moment. But with God as my recourse, he would not end my life in a very tragic way.

Even in the hardest moments of our travail being sojourners of the earth, God has been always gentle and would speak in our hearts in perfect timing. We are not left alone to bear the pains in the corner while in tears but he sits beside us though in silence even without a word but just pure presence.