| Preparing for Pentecost. |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
Preparing for Pentecost.
When it was first decided that the National Service Team would do exactly what its name suggests no one realized what the Lord had in mind for leaders and core groups who gathered in the Diocese of Dunkeld Pastoral Centre.
It is easy to say “It was a blessed day” or “Oh, how Spirit-filled”, both of which would be correct, but it was more than that.
There was a feeling of something happening from the moment the powerful praise began. The focus was on Jesus; eyes, hearts and wills were focused on the Risen Lord as his Spirit filled the room. Expectant faith abound.
The call of the day was to pray for leaders and core group members, building them up and praying that they be filled with and empowered by the Word. The prophecies of the day encouraged those present to drink deep of the Water of Life; to seek silence and there come into the presence of the Lord and be ready to serve God’s people.
Encouraged by the word and after having plenty of quiet time to absorb the Word the bothers and sisters were prayed with. This ministry was carried out by the NST.
In his talk Fr. Laurence Brassill OSA opened with the challenging question, “Do you aspire to mediocrity?” He then went on to call those in leadership to aspire to be holy and aim for the higher gifts and really believe.
At this time. when there seems to be a movement of the Spirit, and it is essential that leaders REALLY believe and pray for miracles, those in renewal have to repent of all that holds them back, for what they have is too good to be kept to themselves. As Christians can see the New Jerusalem they should be witnesses and must share this wonder with others.
Father held up a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and called those present to own it and to be people “avid for the Truth”. It is time for the hearts of Christians to be prized open and their minds stretched to the full breadth of the Holy Spirit, all the time praying for discernment and trusting brothers and sisters to help in this area.
As the mass of the day ended each leader and core group member was commissioned to go out and co-operate with and work for the Spirit of Truth that was sweeping the Land.
Reports from so many sources tell of great things happening across Scotland. Edinburgh DST is taking days of renewal around the different parts of the Diocese. Dunkeld DST is running weekend Seminars in various towns the next being in Perth. Glasgow is very active as usual. Motherwell has a new spirit of unity. In every diocese the Spirit is stirring the hearts. There is a bubbling expectancy within God’s People in Renewal. Alleluia!!
And finally to crown it all - or maybe to start it all - Bishop Murray, newly appointed spiritual director to Renewal in Scotland, will address the National gathering at National Shrine to Our Lady , Carfin on 5 June.
|
|
|
