Today's Season of Joy reflection on John 3:7b-15 is by Jane Newberry.
Many years ago, Jane married her wonderful high school sweet heart. They were blessed with 3 incredible children and now have 9 equally incredible grand children. She is a retired nurse and now spends her time helping family, friends and others. She’s involved in two parishes and also part of a group called “Discerning Women Deacons.”
from John 3:7b-15
Jesus said to Nicodemus:
“‘You must be born from above.’
The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes,
but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes;
so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Read the full scripture: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041823.cfm
I love how John compares the wind to the Holy Spirit. We all see the results of wind and air and oxygen. Trees are moving; children are running. We know that wind and oxygen are there because we need these to live. We also know the Holy Spirit, who really is the oxygen of our spiritual life, is with us as he sends us thoughts and people to help guide us. Sometimes this is in subtle ways in the whispers of our lives. And sometimes this is in louder ways as He repeats events that can shape our lives.
We know the Holy Spirit has a plan for each of us. Maybe he's sending you to help at mass as a server. Yes, women can be servers. Or to become a lector or Eucharistic Minister. I have heard people say they feel unworthy to serve as a Eucharistic Minister or lector, but isn't this how we all feel, unworthy? Don't let this stop you.
Surely the Blessed Mother must have felt unworthy and overwhelmed when the angel appeared to her and asked her to be the mother of the Savior of the World. I have often thought about this. Mary was an unmarried teenager who had never had relations with a man. She could actually have been stoned for being pregnant before she was married. Yet Mary humbly and boldly said, "Yes" to the angel, to God the Father, and to the Holy Spirit.
Wow, what an amazing person she is.
The Holy Spirit uses all of us in some special way. Parents are guiding their children to be good and kind people. Other adults have chosen a single life and are involved in community outreach programs. Children are asked to help others at home, or in their neighborhoods. Young adults are discerning how they can serve others in their careers and community. Maybe the Spirit is calling you to volunteer in a school or take Holy Communion to those who are homebound.
There are so many ways to serve others. Just like the wind, we don't know where these actions will sometimes take us and we don't know how they affect the people whose lives we touch. Being open to where we are being sent can reveal many opportunities as we are doing the work of the Holy Spirit.
One way God has used me is through a program called Healing Touch. I admit I was initially unsure if Healing Touch was really for me and unsure of the benefits for recipients. Early on, I felt very inadequate. Through much prayer and practice, I believe the Holy Spirit has encouraged me to pursue this type of service to others. I feel that I am a small straw that the Holy Spirit is able to work through and I know that healing comes from God.
I want to be clear up front that Healing Touch is an energy approach to healing. It does not replace medical treatment. When we think of the different aspects of healing, we consider physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual healing.
Read the full reflec
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