Editorial

Motives and Choices

By Gerard Pereira (Editor, Inspiritu)

Dear Friends,

Many years ago while studying at the Bible College in India I witnessed a young lady encounter Jesus in a very personal way. She was rich, and had a string of degrees behind her name. We nicknamed her ‘Thirteen Times'. We gave her that name because she shared during her testimony that she had seen the face of Jesus that many times during the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Her experience was so intense that she surprised us with her arrival the next morning with her bags packed, to join the Bible College . But, unfortunately she was not able to join us that year but returned the following year to do the course. This young lady wanted to know and “be” like Jesus so much that she gave up her job and the relationship she was having with a boy of a different faith.

Like her, 40 years ago a group of College Students at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania experienced the grace of both baptism and confirmation through what is now called “The Baptism of the Holy Spirit” Like them many have come to encounter Jesus in such a manner that it has transformed their lives.

In Malaysia 34 years ago the Catholic Charismatic Renewal awakened many who were baptised as infants Catholics from their ‘slumber'. Never before had I seen so many people of different ages so enthusiastic in singing and praising God as a body in the Catholic Church. I used to be amazed that my mother in her sixties would find time to attend prayer meetings and astonished to see her lifting her hands in praise to God.

Jesus was alive; His presence was real and like the people of His time we saw him as the wonder worker, a healer, a great teacher and a liberator. He was someone the evil spirits feared and even the stormy sea was under his command. Like the 72 Jesus sent out, many in the CCR will witness to the manifestation of the various charisms and the authority of Jesus to heal and to be set free from the bondages of the devil.

As we praise and thank God for the revelation of His infinite love for each one of us through the CCR, there is a greater calling which the multitudes did not understand.

A CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP

“But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be given unto you as well.” (Matt. 6:33)

God does not do anything contradictory to Himself but uses all circumstances to draw us into his plan of salvation as individuals and as a community. His plan is progressive, purifying our motives, so that our choices will be obedience to His will. In the words of St. Thomas Becket, “ To do the right deed for the wrong reason is the greatest treason.”

As disciples we need to learn , through the power of the Holy Spirit the heart and mind of Jesus to understand what obedience to the Father means. “Although he was a Son he learned obedience through what he suffered and having been made perfect, he became a source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.” (Heb. 5:9)

MISSION

As we enter the Lenten season let our hearts like Jesus be led into the desert by the Holy Spirit and be filled by Him. Let the Holy Spirit remove the obstacles within, that prevents us from becoming disciples.

It was the Holy Spirit who empowered the Apostles to live out the Life Jesus taught. It was the Holy Spirit who brought about a conversion of hearts and to live a life pleasing to God through community. We need to be “schooled” in the Holy Spirit to transform our daily lives to be witness of God's Kingdom. We also like Jesus have to live the Trinitarian Community with other disciples. It is this lifestyle that will be the “source of salvation” for so many who are being robbed of the dignity of being sons and daughters of GOD

Gerry Pereira
Editor