“IN him, we were chosen. In him, we were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.”
Let’s make these words from today’s Second Reading (Ephesians 1: 3-14) our mantra this week because it is vital to us always to remember the assurance of God that he has confidence in us. For he has sealed us with the power of the Holy Spirit, especially through the Sacrament of Confirmation.
There are moments when we may feel unmotivated or uninspired to do God’s work. There are periods when we experience doubts and discouragement. It’s during these times when we need to exercise a proper discernment of the Spirit.
The Enemy of Christ has a way to pull us down through the inner voices of negativity and discouragement. He’s the one who tells us that there’s not much that we can do to change the world, to rebuild our church, or to pursue our dreams, ambitions, and goals.
Let’s not listen to the Enemy’s voice. Instead, let’s listen to Christ’s voice that tells us that we matter, that we can do his work and that we have each other for support.
It’s no wonder that Jesus sent the Twelve two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He knows that his Enemy can dampen, frighten or intimidate us.
So, yes, let’s be confident in the power and abilities that God has given us through the Holy Spirit. Like Prophet Amos in today’s First Reading, when the Lord tells us to go and prophesy to his people in a world that seemed to have forgotten God, let’s do it! He will give words, wisdom, and courage. He will never leave us alone.
Indeed, “In him, we were chosen. In him, we were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.”
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.