05 Jan Spirit of God (1 Jn 3:23-24) by Dr. Kevin Vost
“And his commandment is this: we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another just as he commanded us. Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them, and the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit whom he gave us.” ~ 1 Jn 3:23-24 (full readings)
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Kevin’s Reflections: Today’s first reading from the 1st letter of John makes clear there are two very different spirits at work in the world. There are “many false prophets” out in the world. Their “teaching belongs to the world” and promotes “the spirit of the antichrist.” Christians however, have a greater spirit within us, the “Spirit of God” that is greater than the world. The way that we know the Spirit of God is that “every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh belongs to God.” So then, what Spirit (or spirit) are we proclaiming and promoting? Any spirit that is literally “anti-Christ” would oppose Christ’s teaching, and John reminds us that Christ commanded those who believe in Him to love one another. We cannot show love to another living person, no matter how small, by depriving him or her of his life even within his or her mother’s womb. Rather, if we are to act according to the Spirit of God we must love every unborn boy and girl by allowing them life, a gift that we all have been given. In that same spirit of love, we will love and support the parents who choose life despite the difficulties and obstacles it may bring them. Our love will extend too to the mothers and fathers who have listened to the world when it told them all life is not sacred. We can instruct and support them, praying that the Spirit of God will move them to be healed and to join with the Spirit that loves and saves life.
* Kevin Vost, Psy.D., lives with his wife and two sons in Springfield, IL. Kevin is the author of books including Memorize the Faith! and The One-Minute Aquinas..
Faith Challenge: Share the Spirit of God to those who have been affected by abortion so that they may receive His love and healing.
Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, Vatican, Project Rachel..
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Our Prayers: Pray LIFE Runners Creed to End Abortion. Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, unceasingly. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
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Feast Day: St. John Neumann
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Faith Quote: “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye.” ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
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Through Christ our Lord,
Dr. Kevin Vost
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