Father Chrispin's Words

King Oscar II, monarch of Sweden and Norway, enjoyed visiting schools to talk informally with the students. one day he called on a rural school in a village where the King posed this question to the students: "Name the greatest kings of Sweden?"

The answers given were unanimous: Gustavus Vasa, Gustavus Adlophus, and Charles XII. At this point the teacher was so embarrassed with the responses that she leaned over to one small boy and whispered something in his ear.

Then the small boy proclaimed, "And King Oscar!"

"Really," said King Oscar, "and what has King Oscar done that is so remarkable?"

"I, I...I don't know!" stammered the confused, little boy.

"That's all right," said the King. "Neither do I."

The king readily welcomed the small boy's remark and even acknowledged the boy's stuttering truth. Children have a way of expressing their own limited insights. Their complete dependence on grown-ups makes them candid about their needs. So much has been done for our children and so much more has to be shared with them. Their attitude of trust is necessary for their survival.

In today's this Gospel, Jesus brings the child to center stage and instructs his disciples: "Anyone who welcomes one of these little children of any name, welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me, welcomes not me but the one who sent me." Jesus doesn't ask his disciples to become like children; he asks his disciples to welcome them. Were the disciples having a problem welcoming this littleness?

Last week, Jesus spoke of himself through the figure of the Son of Man who had to suffer and be rejected and be put to death. Following the Passion, Jesus invited those who would follow him to take up their own crosses. Now Jesus is traveling secretly through Galilee, taking time to instruct His disciples about how the Son of Man will be delivered unto the hands of men and be put to death. The ministry in Galilee is now over; the road that leads to Jerusalem beckons. Jesus is seen to be anxious that His disciples understand the meaning of what lies ahead.

St. Mark tells us how the disciples respond to his second prediction of the passion: They did not understand what he said and they were afraid to ask him. The disciples cannot comprehend the stature of the powerlessness that Jesus maps out for himself. It was at this juncture that the power struggle discussion became heated among the disciples. The concern was "Who amongst the them was the most important and most likely favored to take over the leadership role after the Master?"

This is what likely transpired at that time: First, the apostles could not have been walking with Jesus as He was either in front of them or behind them with other disciples. In fact, He was probably with the Rabbis and Pharisees who could have been questioning Him looking for a way of catching him justifying His killing. They might have been interested in how He was going to die and how He knew they were planning to kill Him. The other followers must have surrounded Him, sympathetically protecting Him.

For the apostles who were either in from or behind Jesus were in a heated discussion about their own relationships with Him and the importance of their relationships with Him. We don't know what they said, but we can imagine Peter saying, "Of course, without any doubt, I am the most important! Didn't He give me the keys and call me the rock on which his community is to be built?"

John might have interjected, "I am sorry for you. What you say might be true, but that is simply a question of administrative bureaucracy. You may be good, but does it make you the most important? I think you have missed the point. The point here is love. When it comes to this, everybody knows that he loves me the most. That leaves no doubt that I am the most important!"

Now Judas Iscariot, who was the financial controller of the group, felt he was the most fit because of the important role he played caring for all of the group's money. Judas could have said, "The world is ruled by money, and so to whom did Jesus trust His money? Thus I am the most important!"

Then Judas the Zealot spoke, "Everyone knows that any government needs a strong and powerful military for Defiance. My record speaks for itself as an former military fighter. When it comes to who is the most important, I stand above all."

What about Philip whom Christ consulted before the feeding of the five thousand people? Philip could have said, "Do you remember when he had the catering problem in the desert with thousands of people needing to be fed? When nobody knew what to do, Jesus included, whom did He turn to for advice? Christ turned to an intelligent person; I am sorry for you, but he asked me."

The Disciples eventually arrived at Capernium where they washed and massaged their aching feet which was the tradition of that time. While they were in the house, Jesus approached and asked them: "What were you speaking about? What were your quarreling about? What was all the noise about when I walked in front (or behind) of you?" Following His questions, there was complete silence as they look at one another. They felt ashamed when they discovered that He knew what they had discussed. Jesus left them for a while, to return a little later with a child.

Holding the child by the hand He put the child in the middle of their circle and said, "Anyone who welcomes on of these little children in my name, welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me, welcomes not me but the one who sent me."

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, the struggle of the apostles came to an end when Christ challenged them saying, "The most important or leader must be ready to welcome a child and be a servant." He looked at His disciples and sent the child around the circle. I don't know what they did, but Peter might have patted the child's shoulder. John kissed both her cheeks, Judas Iscarioit could have given her money, Judas the Zealot gave her an assurance that all was safe as he held her hand, and Philip put her on his knee.

During Jesus' time, children were simply disregarded; they had no opinions worth listening to. They had no power or authority in society; they had nothing to offer. Showing favor to a child was considered worthless in their society. Jesus compares Himself to the little child, the one who cannot resort to power tactics when threatened or maltreated. Jesus' protection is his Father, and his trust is placed in the God who will ensure His protection.

Jesus offers a permanent challenge to all of his followers to welcome the powerless, to take to heart the weakest members of the community. He places Himself in their company. Special hospitality should be offered to those from whom we can benefit the least. Their vulnerability is something that Jesus not only shares but values.

Comforting Thoughts

"Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sites on the reality of Heaven...let Heaven fill your thoughts."   Collations 3: 1-3

 

From Father Keiffer of Trinity University on an Orientation to Death:

• Catholics believe that in the death of Christ Jesus our salvation has become complete. The Son calls us into life with him forever.
• He also mentioned that you should never put ANYTHING off when death is concerned because you never know when it may come for you. "So we make it our goal to please him whether we are at home in the body or away from it." (2 Corinthians 5:9)
• Since Vatican II, much of the Catholic perspective toward death has changed. For example, white has often replaced black, symbolic of death, because of its connotations that the deceased has gone to a better place.
• "At the death of a Christian, whose life of faith was begun in the waters of baptism and strengthened at the Eucharistic table, the Church intercedes on behalf of the deceased because of its confident belief that death is not the end nor does it break the bonds forged in life. The Church also ministers to the sorrowing and consoles them in the funeral rites with the comforting word of God and the sacrament of the Eucharist."

Remembering John Paul II from ABC News:

 

• Pope John Paul II is being remembered around the world as people of all faiths mourn the loss of the beloved leader. Here is a selection of your thoughts as posted on the Pope John Paul II message board.
• Another 20th century giant has left us, but we celebrate his life and achievements.
• Good Bye and Thank You our beloved Pontiff. You will be missed.
• God Bless You Pope John Paul II. May the Lord hold you in his arms.
• He was an ambassador of peace. He was the pastor of a global village. I'm sure the Polish people will miss their native son.
• JP II Helped Free Eastern Europe from Soviet Military Colonialism a gigantic task for which he will be most remembered.
• Pope John Paul II travel all over the world, and he was loved by many people. He reach out to other religions. He helped freed millions of people from communism.
• Pope John Paul II was truly a great man. He will be missed by all.
• His death seemed to be timed at a precise moment when there is so much strife in the world. Hopefully we will take notice and understand that we need to stop and reflect on what life is really about and how short, even for living 84 years.
• This wonderful man helped millions all over the world; whether Christian, Muslim, Jew, atheist, etc.

Thoughts on Assurance:

 

In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8 : 37-39 These words mean that no matter what happens, nothing can separate us from God's love and protection. The secret is to build up in your mind, day by day, the knowledge and realization of God's presence and his love for you. Dwell on this mentally until it becomes an unshakeable fact. By N. V. Peale, from Thought Conditioners.

 

Thoughts on Parenthood:

 

Our children are watching us live, and what we are shouts louder than anything we can say. When we encircle them with love, they will be loving. When we are thankful for life's blessings, they will be thankful. When we express friendliness, they will be friendly. When we speak words of praise, they will praise others. When we set an example of honesty, our children will be honest. When we practice tolerance, they will be tolerant. When we confront misfortune with a gallant spirit, they will learn to live bravely. When our lives affirm our faith in the enduring values of life, they will rise above doubt and skepticism. We can't stand there pointing our finger to the heights we want our children to scale. We must start climbing, and they will follow.

 

Thoughts on Gratitude:

Our Father, as we gather under this roof, sharing the events and feelings of the day, we give you thanks for our home. The warmth and coolness, the order and color of the furnishings, the taste of good food, the feel of clean clothes - all reinforce spoken words of love and discipline. Thoughts of others who have no house, or whose family is not really a family, press in upon us - sometimes disturbing our sense of well-being. Free us from crippling feelings of quiet. Replace them with the kind of love for you and for them that gives added meaning and purpose of life. Show us how to be bridges between their lives and you - how to share this home. We pray in the name of Jesus who came to open the way into one family. Amen. Composed by Sara B. Harrison.

Thoughts on Meditation:

 

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light; and,
Where there is sadness, joy.
O, Divine Master, grant that I may not,
So much seek to be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love,
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Prayer of St Francis of Assisi.

 

Passing Comfort on to Others:

 

It only takes a spark to get a fire going,
And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing:
That's how it is with God's love, once you've experienced it:
You spread God's love to everyone, you want to pass it on.
What a wondrous time is spring when all the trees are budding,
The birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming;
That's how it is with God's love, once you've experienced it:
You want to sing, it's fresh like spring, you want to pass it on.
I wish for you, my friend, this happiness that I've found
On God you can depend, it matters not where you're bound;
I'll shout it from the mountain top; I want my world to know:
The Lord of love has come to me, I want to pass it on.

Catholic Charism

A Statement from the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops on the Charismatic Renewal

Foreword

 

As part of the preparation for the Great Jubilee Year 2000, Pope John Paul II has asked the Church to focus on the role and charisms of the Holy Spirit. Our Ad Hoc Committee for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal felt it was appropriate to issue a statement of affirmation, support and encouragement to those who have experienced the release of gifts and charisms of the Holy Spirit -- known as baptism in the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1: 4).

Specifically on the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the United States, we desire to affirm the positive impact this move of the Spirit has had in the lives of millions of people and through them the life of the Church.

Because we believe that God in His great love for His people continues to fulfill His promise to pour out His Spirit anew, we have entitled this statement -- "Grace for the New Springtime." We are reminded of the words of Peter on Pentecost in reference to the vision he had of the future impact this anointing and empowerment by the Holy Spirit would have: "It was to you and your children that the promise was made and to all those still far off whom the Lord our God calls." (Acts 2:39)

As We Prepare for the Third Millennium

 

On the occasion of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal's thirtieth anniversary, as well as the one hundredth anniversary of Pope Leo XIIII's encyclical on the Holy Spirit, Divinum Illud, we, the U.S. Bishops' Ad Hoc Committee on the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, want to affirm again all those Catholics involved in this movement of the Holy Spirit in our day. We, likewise, "encourage them in their efforts to renew the life of the Church." (A Pastoral Statement on the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, 1984, NCCB USCC).

As we prepare for the Third Millennium, as called for by Pope John Paul II in his Apostolic Letter, Tertio Millennio Adveniente (As the Third Millennium Draws Near), we believe the Catholic Charismatic Renewal is particularly called and gifted by God to be with the Church as it prepares for the Great Jubilee and for the challenges it faces as we enter the new millennium.

In its thirty years of existence, the Catholic Charismatic Renewal has brought personal spiritual renewal to the lives of millions of priests, deacons, religious, and lay Catholics. It has called countless alienated Catholics to reconciliation with the Lord and with the Church. It has deepened a love for Jesus and the Church among young people as well as so many others, including the unchurched.

Thus, for us, the Catholic Charismatic Renewal is one of the signs of hope our Holy Father is referring to as "present in the last part of this century" when he speaks of "a greater attention to the voice of the Spirit through the acceptance of charisms and the promotion of the laity." (Tertio Millennio Adveniente, 46)

We believe that "the renewed outpouring of the Spirit of Pentecost in our times" (is. Called and Gifted for the Third Millennium, NCCB USCC) is particularly present in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and in the grace of baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Catholic Charismatic Renewal

 

As early as 1969, we affirmed the good fruits of the Renewal. Our Holy Father and other Bishops' Conferences have testified to these abundant fruits. In 1984 we wrote:

"Insofar as the Renewal makes its own what is central to the enduring reality of the Gospel, it cannot be dismissed as peripheral to the life of the Church... It witnesses to elements of the Good News which are central, not optional: the covenant love of the Father, the Lordship of Jesus, the power of the Spirit, sacramental and community life, prayer, charisms, and the necessity of evangelization."

"The Catholic Charismatic Renewal is, as Pope John Paul II said in 1979, "A sign of the Spirit's action... (and) a very important component in the total renewal of the Church."

Impact of the Renewal on the Broader Church

 

The impact of the Charismatic Renewal on the broader Church has been significant. The Renewal has nourished the call of all to holiness as a gift from the Spirit and helped the Church come to a greater awareness and expectancy of the Holy Spirit and the charismatic gifts of the Spirit. The Charismatic Renewal has led the people of God in a revival of the ministry of healing, encouraging them -- laity and clergy alike -- to pray for the sick with faith and expectancy.

It has renewed the appreciation for the role of praise in individual and communal prayer and enriched the Church with many gifted musicians, music ministries, and song writers. The Renewal has taught a commitment to the Pope, the Bishops, and to orthodox teaching. Vocations to priesthood, diaconate, and religious life have been fostered. It has called forth the gifts of the laity who are today serving in a variety of ecclesial lay ministries; e.g., in the liturgy, religious education, and youth ministry, and ministries for the transformation of the world.

Catholic Charismatic Renewal Today

 

Among the areas in which the Renewal continues to make an impact today are its response to the Holy Father's call to "new evangelization," the increased awareness of Mary's role in the Church and in individual lives, and in ecumenism.

New Evangelization

 

The Renewal is at its best when, from its internal prayerful reflection, it looks outward to the lives of the many, both churched and unchurched, who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. "Charismatic empowerment in community has supplied the Church in this country and throughout the world with a host of committed and effective evangelists bringing the gospel to persons and places otherwise without hope of hearing the good news." (Fanning the Flame, p. 13)

The witness of lives lived under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and of fervent Catholics telling others about Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit have always been and continue to be a constitutive part of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and a fruit of the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Baptism in the Holy Spirit is empowerment of individuals and of the Church for its mission in the world: the proclamation of the Lordship of Jesus Christ and of His power to transform society.

Mary

 

Authentic Marian devotion and imitation is a welcome and growing dimension of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the United States. Mary, Mother of the Church, who was overshadowed by the Holy Spirit "when the fullness of time had come" (Gal 4:4), will "lead the men and women of the new millennium toward the One who is `the true light that enlightens every man' (Jn. 1:9)." (Tertio, 59) It is thus with great anticipation that we find within the Renewal this joyful awareness of the relationship of Mary and the Holy Spirit.

Ecumenism

 

In this moment in history the Lord has also called us all to a deepened awareness of the brokenness of the Body of Christ. In 1995 the Holy Father issued his twelfth Encyclical, Ut Unum Sint (That All May Be one), in which he states clearly that the Catholic Church is committed "irrevocably to following the path of the ecumenical venture, thus heeding the Spirit of the Lord, who teaches people to interpret carefully the `signs of the times'."(#3).

We believe that the Holy Spirit has been poured out in our day to bring about unity of the Body of Christ for which our Lord prayed (Jn 17:2 1). Thus, efforts in authentic ecumenism -- e.g., the Congresses of the Holy Spirit and World Evangelization held in New Orleans (1987), Indianapolis (1990), and Orlando (1995), are some of the great fruits of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. As we stated in 1984, "we see in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal an ecumenical force in which we rejoice."

Baptism in the Holy Spirit

 

In the Sacraments of Initiation we experience the action of the Triune God. As regards the Third Person of the Trinity, in Baptism we become temples of the Holy Spirit; in Eucharist we share in the Body and Blood of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit; in Confirmation we are empowered with the gifts and charisms of the Spirit to be witnesses for Jesus Christ. In this statement, we want not only to affirm the good fruit of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal but also the grace which is at the heart of this Renewal, namely, baptism in the Holy Spirit, or the fuller release of the Holy Spirit, as some would prefer.

As experienced in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal baptism in the Holy Spirit makes Jesus Christ known and loved as Lord and Savior, establishes or reestablishes an immediacy of relationship with all those persons of the Trinity, and through inner transformation affects the whole of the Christian's life. There is new life and a new conscious awareness of God's power and presence. It is a grace experience which touches every dimension of the Church's life: worship, preaching, teaching, ministry, evangelism, prayer and spirituality, service and community. Because of this, it is our conviction that baptism in the Holy Spirit, understood as the reawakening in Christian experience of the presence and action of the Holy Spirit given in Christian initiation, and manifested in a broad range of charisms, including those closely associated with the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, is part of the normal Christian life.

Pastoral Encouragement

 

We encourage the whole Church to look into and embrace baptism in the Holy Spirit "as the power of personal and communal transformation with all the graces and charisms needed for the building of the Church and for our mission in the world." (Fanning the Flame, p. 27)

We want also to encourage those in the Renewal to continue to bring an awareness of the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit to the Church; to foster balanced devotion to Mary; to teach and grow in the discernment of spiritual experiences and to continue in faithful cooperation with the mission and the vision of the local Church in which they serve. By its shared life, the Renewal can be an example and fostering agent of small Christian communities in the Church. Through the Cross and the "embrace of the paschal mystery" (Called and Gifted for the Third Millennium, p. 24), the Renewal can deepen "life in the Spirit." We encourage leaders in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal to work to bring the various streams of this Renewal into cooperate unity.

Finally, aware of various pastoral concerns and needs, we want to affirm the National Service Committee and the various ethnic national service committees that have emerged in recent years; diocesan liaisons and their Association of Diocesan Liaisons; the various networks of covenant communities, such as the Fraternity of Catholic Charismatic Communities and Fellowships; and others in providing leadership for the Renewal.

Conclusion

 

In 1975 Leon Joseph Cardinal Suenens convinced Pope Paul VI of the value of the Renewal for the Church and continued to offer it guidance through the early theological documents called the Malines Documents. Even as recently as five years ago he offered his wisdom to the Renewal at the 1992 National Catholic Charismatic Renewal Conference when, via videotape, he encouraged us to open ourselves fully to the power of God, stressing that today, more than ever before, the world needs the witness of people open to the Spirit. It is the Holy Father's conviction and ours that we stand on the threshold of a "new springtime for Christianity."

In Tertio Millennio Adveniente, Pope John Paul II states that this "new springtime of Christian life will be revealed by the Great Jubilee if Christians are docile to the action of the Holy Spirit" (#18), and he exhorts his "venerable brothers in the episcopate and the ecclesial communities entrusted" to us to open our "hearts to the promptings of the Spirit" (#59).

Thus, in the spirit of Cardinal Suenens and our Holy Father John Paul II, we say again, with great thanksgiving and enthusiasm, that in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and in the grace of baptism in the Holy Spirit we see God's outpouring of a new Pentecost. This is a blessing for the Church and for the world as we near the celebration of our Lord's 2000th birthday and the beginning of the Third Millennium of Christianity.

Grace for the New Springtime © 1997, the United States Catholic Conference, Inc.
Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.

 

For more information contact:
Mary Elizabeth Sperry
Office of Publishing and Promotion Service
United States Catholic Conference, Inc.
3211 Fourth Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20017-1194

 

 

Reprinted in Whole From EWTN; Answered by Colin B. Donovan, STL
http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/charismatic_renewal.htm

Ecclesiastical Acknowledgements

 

The Charismatic Renewal as a movement within the Catholic Church has been acknowledged by two Popes, Paul VI and John Paul II. Speaking to the International Conference on the Catholic Charismatic Renewal on May 19, 1975, Pope Paul VI encouraged the attendees in their renewal efforts and especially to remain anchored in the Church.

This authentic desire to situate yourselves in the Church is the authentic sign of the action of the Holy Spirit ... How could this 'spiritual renewal' not be a chance for the Church and the world? And how, in this case could one not take all the means to ensure that it remains so....Pope John Paul II, for his part, has been more explicit. Speaking to a group of international leaders of the Renewal on December 11, 1979, he said, "I am convinced that this movement is a very important component of the entire renewal of the Church." Noting that since age 11 he had said a daily prayer to the Holy Spirit he added, "This was my own spiritual initiation, so I can understand all these charisms. They are all part of the richness of the Lord. I am convinced that this movement is a sign of his action."

 

For his part, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, has added his voice to the Pope's in acknowledging the good occurring in the Charismatic Renewal and providing some cautions. In a forward to a book by Cardinal Suenens, at that time the Pope's delegate to the Charismatic Renewal, the Prefect comments on the Post-Conciliar period stating,

At the heart of a world imbued with a rationalistic skepticism, a new experience of the Holy Spirit suddenly burst forth. And, since then, that experience has assumed a breadth of a worldwide Renewal movement. What the New Testament tells us about the charisms - which were seen as visible signs of the coming of the Spirit - is not just ancient history, over and done with, for it is once again becoming extremely topical.

 

Speaking of the book's subject, renewal and the powers of darkness, he says, "What is the relation between personal experience and the common faith of the Church? Both factors are important: a dogmatic faith unsupported by personal experience remains empty; mere personal experience unrelated to the faith of the Church remains blind."

 

Finally, he urges those who read the book to pay special attention to the author's double plea... to those responsible for the ecclesiastical ministry - from parish priests to bishops - not to let the Renewal pass them by but to welcome it fully; and on the other (hand) ... to the members of the Renewal to cherish and maintain their link with the whole Church and with the charisms of their pastors. [Renewal and the Powers of Darkness, Leo Cardinal Suenens (Ann Arbor: Servant Books, 1983)]

 

Charismatic Graces

 

The Second Vatican Council affirmed the legitimacy of charisms, both ordinary and extraordinary. A charism is simply "a grace freely given by God to build up the Church," as opposed to the graces given to sanctify the individual. St. Paul gives a list of charisms in 1 Cor. 12. They include ordinary charisms like teaching and administration and extraordinary ones like healing, miracles, and tongues. These things by themselves don't make the person holier, rather they enable him or her to serve others. Finally, the authenticity of charisms must be discerned, since charisms are not necessarily from the spirit of God (1 John 4). The Council taught,

 

Whether these charisms be very remarkable or more simple and widely diffused, they are to be received with thanksgiving and consolation since they are fitting and useful for the needs of the Church. Extraordinary gifts are not to be rashly desired nor is it from them that the fruits of apostolic labors are to be presumptuously expected. Those who have charge over the Church should judge the genuineness and proper use of these gifts, through their office, not indeed to extinguish the Spirit but to test all things and hold fast to what is good (cf. 1 Thes. 5:12, 19- 21). [Lumen Gentium 12]

 

The Church clearly wishes to follow a middle course, between a rationalistic skepticism and a blind credulity in alleged workings of the Holy Spirit. In the past the Church had condemned what it called Pentecostalism, understood as the total dependence, even theologically, on the presence and manifestation of charisms. Such a dependence is blind, for it fails to allow itself to be guided by the full content of the faith and the judgment of the Church's teaching authority. It is total when such "gifts" displace the means of grace in the life of the Christian, such as the sacraments. On the other hand, the Church cannot condemn charisms, since they are part of the patrimony of our apostolic faith. What we have seen in our time is the appearance of the Charismatic Renewal, an apparent outpouring of the extraordinary charisms. This doesn't mean that one has to be a charismatic, that charismatic are better Catholics, or that every alleged charism is authentic. Yet, as the Council noted, the Church must respect the workings of God, discerning the authentic from the inauthentic.

 

An authentic charism would not pull one away from the Church. If a Catholic leaves, seeking an emotional boost he no longer finds in the Church, he is seeking the gifts of the Giver and not the Giver of the gifts. Participation in the life of the Church should lead any Catholic (Charismatic, traditional, or ordinary) into a deeper relationship with the Eucharist, the Blessed Mother and the Pope. If it does not, something is spiritually wrong with that particular individual or with the guidance he is receiving within his group. Since a charism does not give the person any special infallibility or sanctity, given the extraordinary character of such gifts it is especially necessary for individuals possessing them to guard the purity of their faith, lest pride, self-seeking or emotionalism lead them astray, and they others. The reality that some have left the Church for Pentecostalism, or sought to create it within, points to the dangers. By contrast, the presence in the Church of a dynamic and faithful institution like the Franciscan University of Steubenville is evidence of the great good that can be done by those graced with authentic charismatic gifts exercised in union with the Church.

 

All such authentic charisms, therefore, are at the service of the Body of Christ, the Church (1 Cor 12, 14). As gifts of the Holy Spirit, they are supernatural graces beyond the power of human striving and human nature (e.g. miracle working), though some may build upon the natural talents of the recipient (e.g. teaching). St. Paul contrasts these charismata with "the greater gifts" of Faith, Hope and Charity (1 Cor. 13), which he says have lasting value. These "theological virtues" unite the person's mind and will to God. As a consequence, the Church teaches that Faith, Hope and Charity are necessary for salvation but the charismata are not. St. Paul's experience at Corinth demonstrated rather early in the Church how susceptible these charisms are to exaggeration. In another context, he would even warn the Corinthians that the devil can appear as an angel of light (1 Cor 11:14). Similarly, both St. Peter and St. John (1 Pet 5:8-9; 1 John 4:1) warn us of this danger.

St. Thomas Aquinas in his Summa Theologiae [ST II-II q172 a2] tells us that unless a charism requires the exercise of divine power the Holy Spirit accomplishes it through the mediation of the holy angels. When they are within the power of the angelic nature, they are also capable of demonic imitation. It is difficult to explain the "charismatic power of speech" of a Hitler, for instance, on purely natural grounds. It is for these reasons that most spiritual writers, especially the mystical doctor St. John of the Cross, warn us not to seek such extraordinary phenomenon. As noted earlier, Vatican II made this warning part of its teaching on the charismatic gifts.

 

Thus the Church on the one hand recognizes that the Holy Spirit moves where He will, and so she does not want to oppose His working, and on the other, that the Church must discern the authenticity of each charism, lest it be a deception of the evil one. For this reason to say that the Charismatic Renewal is approved by the Church is not a blanket approval of every alleged charismatic gift or every charismatic group or individual within the Church. The discernment of the Holy Spirit's action is an ongoing necessity within the Church and within the Charismatic Renewal.

Discernment of Charisms

 

The Apostle John encourages us to test the spirits (1 John 4) and over the years the Church has developed criteria to determine whether the fruits are good or bad (Mt. 7:15-20). St. John teaches that if anyone denies Jesus Christ has come in the flesh (1 John 4:3) it is proof that the person does not have the Spirit of God. We can call this the doctrinal test of the fruit. The Spirit of God would never lead one away from the truth about Christ. Since the Church is an extension of the mystery of the Incarnation, the Spirit of God would never lead one away from the Catholic Church or Her teachings. Similarly, the Spirit of God would never lead one away from the practice of the faith (morally, devotionally, sacramentally). Christ has left us the means of salvation and His Spirit would never deprive us of them. This could be called the practical test of the fruit. "Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven" (Mt. 7:21-23). Positively said, the Holy Spirit's activity (including among non-Catholics) must necessarily tend toward Catholic truth and unity (doctrine and practice), no matter how remote that unity might appear.

 

On the other hand, a spirit which acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh is of God (1 John 4:2). Such doctrinal correctness is a motive of credibility in the authenticity of a charism or event. Yet, a person may simply be operating by the human spirit fortified by Faith and may not be manifesting an extraordinary gift. To determine whether a given phenomenon exceeds human nature calls for a discernment beyond simple orthodoxy. For example, in the special case of an apparition, when a bishop declares an event to be "worthy of belief" or "not worthy of belief" he does so based upon both scientific (can it be explained?) and theological (is it from God?) criteria. So, orthodoxy is the necessary beginning of the discernment, not the end.

 

There is yet another dimension of the discernment which needs to be considered. Since charisms are given to build up the Church, there is no necessary connection with personal sanctity. Saints, sinners and even unbelievers have manifested these gifts. The pagan prophet Balaam was given the Divine spirit of prophecy in order to authenticate Israel as the People of God (Num. 22). Thus the moral state of the recipient (good or bad) does not by itself indicate a true or false charism. When actually under the constraint of the Spirit of God, however, the true charismatic could not say or do anything contrary to that Spirit. No one could claim, for instance, that the Spirit of God led him to get drunk or do anything sinful, although he might at other times do such things.

 

Practically speaking, therefore, the many instances of extraordinary charisms within the Charismatic Renewal will never come under the official scrutiny of the Church. Priests and Catholic laity associated with the Renewal will most likely have to discern each instance themselves, according to the theological criteria of Catholic theology and prudence. It is easier to dismiss a phenomenon as NOT from God than it is to determine its other possible sources (human or divine spirit). A basic question prayerfully asked must be "is this particular event a credible example of the action of the Spirit of God - a Spirit incapable of any lie or sin and which can only lead people (even non-Catholics) to a deeper Catholic faith and unity?" This should do much to protect us from the roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8), even if it cannot produce the judgment that something is certainly from God - a fact which only the Holy See can ultimately state.

Favorite Prayers

Using A Novena For Prayer

Q: What is a Novena?

A: A novena is the reciting of powerful prayers and devotions for a special request over nine consecutive days. Traditionally, a novena includes praying, fasting, and meditating.

Q: How long should a Novena be said?

A: Traditionally, the novena prayer is said for nine days. The nine days signifies the nine days the Apostles prayed together during the time between the Ascension of Jesus, and Pentecost. However, there is no hard and fast "rule" for praying.praying; it is best if you adopt a way of prayer that is comfortable for you and allows you to be in conversation with God.

Q: What prayers should be said?

A: Your goal when praying is to focus your heart, mind, and body on communicating with God. Praying is best done in a quiet environment. Start by closing your eyes, then describe your special need, and make a heartfelt request. Your prayer can be as simple as "Dear Lord, please help me with (insert your request)", or if you prefer, choose your own prayer or a prayer used by others. You should then follow your prayer by saying three Our Father's, three Hail Mary's, and three Gloria prayers. Many people also find that some type of fasting during the nine days provide extra comfort and strength when saying the prayers.

Different Types of Prayer Options

• Pray at Your Computer - Sacred Space, produced by the Irish Jesuits, guides you through a 5-10 minute prayer session on a short scripture passage chosen for the day. Visit it @ http://www.sacredspace.ie/.
• Pray as You Go - is a daily meditation with music, the Scripture of the day and a short reflection that you can either play on your computer or download to your ipod or mp3 player. Visit it at http://pray-as-you-go.org/.
• The Apostleship of Prayer - The Apostleship of Prayer began in France in 1844. At that time Fr. Francis X. Gautrelet told a group of Jesuit seminarians who were eager to work on the missions. The Apostleship of Prayer now includes over 50 million people worldwide, who pray the Daily offering in their different languages. Visit it at http://www.apostlesofprayer.org/.
• Chaplet of Mercy - In 1935, St. Faustina Kowalska received a vision in which she saw the Holy Trinity and felt the power of Jesus' grace. At the same time, she found herself pleading with God for mercy with words she heard. The Chaplet of Mercy is a powerful prayer. Visit it @ http://www.marian.org/divinemercy/apostolates.php.
• Our Lady of Mt. Carmel - According to the most ancient Carmelite chronicles, the Order has its origins with the disciples of the prophets Elijah and Elisha who lived in caves on Mount Carmel. The Carmelites honored the Queen of Heaven as the Virgin who gave birth to the Savior. In the 12th century, many pilgrims from Europe who had followed the Crusaders came to join them. A rule was established and the Order began to spread to Europe. Visit it @ http://carmelnet.org/scapular/scapular.htm.
• Our Lady of Fatima - In 1917 a Woman from Heaven visited Portugal with a message for all humanity. She warned the world of the effects and punishment for sin. She offered the means to lead humankind back to God once more. The message changed the lives of the three children who listened to her message, and it has changed the lives of millions of other people also. Two of those children, Jacinta and Francisco Martos, died shortly after the apparitions, and on May 13, 2000 the Pope declared them 'Blessed.' At the Mass of Beatification, the third part of the Secret of Fatima was finally revealed to the world on the instruction of Pope John Paul. Fatima has been called "the altar of the world," a view shared by the Holy Father himself, who has a very great devotion to Our Lady of Fatima. It is to her that the Pope attributes the preservation of his life after the attempted assassination of him in Saint Peters. Visit it @ http://www.fatima-petitions.com/.
• Pray the News - run by the Carmelites of Indianapolis, features weekly prayerful reflections by six cloistered Carmelite nuns on current news events. The home page provides a tour of Carmelite life and contemplative prayer, but if you're in a hurry, click on the words "the news" on the homepage. Visit it @ http://www.praythenews.org.
• Daily Prayer of the Saints - Experience the friendship and spiritual guidance of hundreds of saints, one for each day of the year. If you desire to grow in holiness, the prayers given here will point you in the right direction, and the saints will lead you by the hand and never let go! Visit it @ http://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/.

Special Kenya Stories

The Girl And The King

Long ago there was a wealthy king who started off on a journey to visit the king of a neighboring country. On his way he was accompanied by his bodyguard and a large group of ministers. Owing to the nature of the landscape, the only means of transport was by camel. Somewhere along the way, he found a group of girls fetching water from a well. At once he was struck by the resemblance of the girls, but on closer observation he identified one girl he had fallen in love with. He at once decided that he would do something to engage her. He gave the girl his blazer, which he instructed her to wear always as a sign of identify. He further promised that once he was back in his country, he would send for her and the emissary would identify her by her jacket.

After the king's departure, the other girls begun to envy the lucky girl and constantly begged her to let them try the blazer on, but she wouldn't budge. Days passed into weeks and the girl still faithfully kept wearing the king's coat. Over time she begun to wonder whether the king had forgotten his promise but still she kept wearing the coat.

One day she went to collect firewood in the company of the other girls. As she was moving about in the bush she saw a pirate monkey admiring her and she stopped to give it the time. The pirate greeted her and commented on the beauty of the blazer she was wearing. She immediately told the pirate the story behind her acquisition of the coat. The pirate then requested that she let him try it on so that she could see how beautiful it was.

The girl reluctantly agreed to let the pirate try the coat on and no sooner had it done so than it jumped into a tree and left the girl in wonder. The girl begun to climb the tree and the pirate jumped to the next tree. As the girl ran from tree to tree, the pirate kept jumping and soon disappeared from the girl's sight. The girl returned home miserable but consoled by the thought that after all the king had forgotten his promise.

Shortly after that incident the king sent his messengers to collect the girl and reminded them that they would find several identical girls and that they would identify the bride by a blazer bearing his seal which she would be wearing When the messengers came to the village where the girls lived they were unable to identify the one they were looking for, as all of them resembled one another. The particular girl tried to explain that she was the one but the messengers did not take her because she did not have the king's coat.

They searched the whole village without finding the girl and eventually gave up, and were on their way home when one of them spotted the pirate in the tree.

The messengers then ran after the pirate and managed to arrest it and take it home to the king.

 

Father Chrispin Oneko The Point, says Father Chrispin,   "The moral teaching of this story is that God has created us in His image and likeness. This makes us all children of the Father. Through Baptism, we are sealed and marked with the gift of the Holy Spirit. This makes us unique and identifiable by God. However, if we are not careful, this special gift of God can be stolen away from us by those who gloat and are jealous of us. In this sense, Satan disguises himself as one who is friendly, hence, in the end we loose. The secular teaching is to always keep the promises you have made; breaking them means a total loss. Never quickly trust strangers!"

The Old Woman And The Hyena

The men of the village were chasing a hyena that had eaten one of the villager's lambs. As the hyena (Linani) was running from these men with rungs, spears, bows, and arrows, saw an open old woman's house. He ran into the house and pleaded with her: "Hide me under your bed." He cried, "There are men who want to kill me!» When the men from the village reached the old woman's house they asked her, "Have you seen any hyena coming this way? She answered, "No!". In haste the village men ran on.

Once the men had gone, the hyena came out from under the bed, caught the old woman, killed and ate her.

 

Father Chrispin Oneko The Point, says Father Chrispin,   "The moral teaching of this story is that an evil will always be an evil; evil can never change to be good. Hence, evil in society must be exposed and removed instead of hiding it. If we hide it, evil will turn against us and exterminate us."

The King's Daughter and The Witch

 

Once there was a king who had only one daughter. He loved her greatly and always shared meals with her. He was always hoping to prepare her to marry a man who would be capable of taking over leadership after him.

In the same village, there was a witch who envied the king's daughter and always looked for an opportunity to destroy her. One day she crept into the king's house through the window after the King and his daughter's breakfast table had been laid. She put poisonous herbs into the young girl's tea and crept out. When the young girl took the tea, she turned into a frog through the effect of the poisonous herbs. The "frog" then began hopping, and it moved out of the house and into the bush. It began another life of wandering as it looked hopefully for some help. Hopping in the jungle in this way, it reached another country far from the girl's original country.

In that far away country there was a chief who had one son. The King's son loved hunting for sport and often went with guards into the forest on hunting expeditions. One day he went into the forest, and as he was wandering he saw a frog hopping around him. The frog struck him and attracted his attention, and he picked it and put it in his pocket. When he got back home, his father inquired about his hunting achievements that day. The son said that he hadn't killed any game but produced a frog from his pocket, explaining that it was the only thing he had brought home. The father was very disappointed and reprimanded his son for his lack of skill. He then ordered him to throw away the frog. The young man was very disappointed at his father's reaction and withdrew into his bedroom to contemplate his next step. While in his room, he removed the frog from his pocket and began to admire it.

Then the frog spoke to him and said - "Please do not throw me away into the lonely jungle - put me under your warm pillow and I shall reward you.» The young man obeyed the frog's words and went to sleep with it - under the pillow. On the following morning, he woke up to find himself lying beside a young beautiful girl - the frog had turned back to its original state - a girl.

The girl spoke to the young man and explained her predicament to him, then she offered to take the young man to her own country to introduce him to her father. When the boy's father saw the girl, he was very impressed and allowed his son to accompany her to her house.Upon reaching the girl's home, the boy was welcomed by the girl's father and as a reward for what he had done he was permitted to marry the girl - and also given the whole of her father's kingdom. He therefore became king of his own country and joined it to his wife's country - and they lived happily ever after.

Father Chrispin Oneko     The Point, says Father Chrispin,   "The moral teaching of this story is that the closer we are to God, the more Satan hates us and becomes envious of us. But if we love and trust God, then we are guaranteed our salvation from the bonds and chains of Satan."

Catholic Prayers

Our Father

Our Father,Who are in heaven, hallowed by Thy name; Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen.

Hail Mary

Hail Mary; full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners; now and at the hour of our death, Amen.

Glory Be

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.

Saint Michael Prayer

Saint Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do you, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who wander through the world seeking the ruin of souls, Amen.

Act of Contrition