Read Acts 19:1-8, Ps. 68:2-7, John 16:29-33
“In the world you have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Today Jesus tells us: “Rejoice, be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Jesus wants us to be happy not because the world is perfect but despite the ups and downs that are constant in the world. By overcoming the world, Jesus did not take away the existence of tribulations, rather by His death and resurrection, He has defeated the devil such that no tribulation can overpower us.
No matter what you are facing in life, just look up to Jesus, pray over your circumstances and smile. Yes, smile over everything. Say to yourself that for Jesus, that problem is nothing.
Being in a state of joy makes you healthier. Develop the courage to laugh even when the world gives you many reasons to cry. Laugh over your problems; in that state of inner calm, you will then begin to see solutions. If you are always frowning and sad, your problems will look bigger and bigger.
One of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is joy. You cannot have the Holy Spirit in you and remain sad and miserable because the Holy Spirit must bear fruit in you. The joy the Holy Spirit gives us that which remains regardless of whatever trials or tribulations we may encounter in life. Let us pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our lives that he may fill us with supernatural joy and bless us with a kind of peace that this world cannot provide.
In our first reading, we encounter another fruit of the Holy Spirit: the ability to speak in tongues. We are told that as soon as Paul laid his hands on the people of Ephesus, the Holy Spirit came upon them and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
The gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit are very many, and the Holy Spirit being God is the one who decides what particular gift He bestows upon us. No one gift is more excellent than another.
Let us pray: Come O Holy Spirit fill our hearts, and enkindle in us your Sacred Fire. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of the 7th week of Eastertide, Bible Study: Acts 19:1-8, Ps. 68:2-7, John 16:29-33)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu