Article Tools
- Text Size
- Add a comment (1)
- Print this article
- Email this article
Share your faith – Join our Online Discussion! Build up others with your thoughts on our Sunday meditation. Three questions will be offered for reflection and discussion each week. Please pray through the questions and share your insights or what the Lord spoke to you in the comments area provided. Your words will inspire others in The Word Among Us community and encourage us all.
What happened in Cornelius’ house has been called a second Pentecost. This surprise of the Spirit amazed the Jewish believers because they thought that Jesus had come only for them, not for Gentiles. According to custom, Jews were forbidden even to enter the house of a Gentile—and here is Peter, baptizing them! While there are many valuable lessons in this story, one that stands out is the blessing that God wants to give to families that follow him.
Prior to Peter’s arrival, Cornelius and his family were devout. They prayed regularly and gave money to the poor. Cornelius himself was a good and fair man. He didn’t lord it over his servants or his soldiers. Still, as righteous as he was, Cornelius was hungry for more of God. When he had his own vision, directing him to send…
The full article is available to subscribers only
Access all articles, daily meditations and readings, as well as special resources, by becoming a subscriber. View subscription options.
Special Offer: 2 week free web-only trial subscription. Sign up now.
Existing Print & Web-Only Subscribers: Login for full access.
Q#2- I am a member of the Catholic Cursillo Movement and the Holy Spirit guides our lives just about every step of the way. That being said, I don’t think I truly started to understand the role of the Holy Spirit in MY life until just about 2 years ago when I felt I was being led out of my parish of 21 years to follow a former associate pastor of that church to another church in the area. I felt somewhat like a traitor but I also felt very strongly that the Holy Spirit was leading me to make this move.
Once I started attending the new church I let the pastor know I was there for him in whatever way(s) he needed me. It is a small, rural parish and this pastor is older and with some health problems and I hoped I could be of some assistance. Over the years I’ve done many things in the parish including lector, parish council, working with the homeless, hospitality functions and the like. He asked me to head up a currently defunct RCIA Program and that stopped me in my tracks. I didn’t feel qualified. How could I mentor these people? How would I know everything that needed to be done? So many questions! So many concerns!
I was also approached by several longtime parishioners about their desire to have bible study classes at the parish. Their former pastor had apparently been promising them for upwards of 10 years but never came through with the classes. Why were these people telling me this? What about me made them think I was the person to make this happen?
My earlier words to the pastor were ringing in my ears…whatever way you need me. I once again thought of the Holy Spirit and realized He was leading me down this new path, taking me out of my comfort zone. I had already volunteered to be a lector…but a teacher? Scary.
The pastor gave me the name of a master catechist from another parish who welcomed me with open arms and started “tutoring” me in the RCIA Program. Luckily, we haven’t had any candidates yet so it’s given me more time to continue preparing for the big day when I’ll start instructing!
The Holy Spirit led me to start a class on “The Catechism of the Catholic Church” and I’ve had a faithful group of 11 people meeting with me since last September. Just before Lent we suspended our catechism studies and completed your Bible Study on “The Seven Last Words of Christ”. It truly was a profound experience for me and the others in the group. It has expanded my horizons and the constant references to the Holy Spirit has inspired me to teach another class, “Moved By The Spirit: God’s Power at Work In His People” by Kevin Perrotta. My group is very excited along with me to learn more about the power of the Holy Spirit; so much so that they insisted we continue the suspension of our catechism study to complete this particular course.
I am at once excited, and yet strangely calm, knowing that the Holy Spirit is working in my life. I know I have responded obediently to His call and it is deepening my faith in ways I never knew possible. Alleluia! Alleluia!