Homily for Alliance of Filipino Catholic Charismatic Prayer Communities Convention: November 7, 2008

Given by the Most Reverend Stephen E. Blaire at the Cathedral of the Annunciation in Stockton.

In writing to the Phillippians, Paul exclaimed: I REJOICE GREATLY IN THE LORD. Paul was thrilled at their conversion to the gospel. He was extremely grateful for their generosity to him. And he gave thanks to God for their perseverance in difficulties and persecution. Paul’s joy was always in the Lord. Like Paul I rejoice over the dynamism of your faith as Filipino Catholics and your vitality as prayer communities in the Holy Spirit.

Paul had a deep realization that Christ lived within him and that he lived in Christ; so powerful was this presence of Christ that Paul could write to the Phillippians to be imitators of him as he was of Christ Jesus. Paul had a joy which came from believing in Christ Jesus and believing that Jesus is Lord.

It is the Holy Spirit who opens our hearts to the joy of believing in Jesus. It is the Holy Spirit who strengthens us to stand firm in our faith.

Pope Benedict in his homily at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Istanbul, said that it is the Holy Spirit who “awakens within us true knowledge of Jesus…and puts on our lips the words of faith that enable us to acknowledge the Lord.” The Holy Father was preaching on the words of St. Paul that NO ONE CAN SAY ‘JESUS IS LORD’ EXCEPT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.

It is the Holy Spirit who breaks down all the barriers and divisions among us so that we can live in the unity Bishop Oscar Solis spoke about last night. While Paul highly praised the Phillippians, he exhorted them to end the divisions and fractions that existed among them.

It is the Holy Spirit who enables us to worship God, to live for God in union with Christ Jesus in His body the Church. Again Pope Benedict reminds us that to live by the spirit is not to live for oneself alone, “but to let oneself be conformed to Christ Jesus by becoming like him, the servant of his brothers and sisters.” He was unfolding the teaching of St. Paul that TO EACH IS GIVEN THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SPIRIT FOR THE COMMON GOOD.

It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that we are able to be in communion with our brothers and sisters in the family of God, praying to God as ABBA, Father. In fact, it is only in the Holy Spirit that our prayers can be true and authentic. On our own we are so limited and imperfect in our words.

Finally, it is from the Holy Spirit that we receive the greatest of all gifts, that of divine love. Without love, all charisms will disintegrate and lose their meaning. God is love and this love is poured forth into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

We are impelled by the love of Christ and with St. Paul each of us can proclaim: I REJOICE GREATLY IN THE LORD.

Last Update November 7, 2008