getting to know you
"For the One Whom God has sent speaks the words of God; He does not ration His gift of the Spirit. The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to Him." —John 3:34-35
Everything ultimately depends on the depth of our relationship with God. When we face persecution, serious sickness, and eventually death, we will obviously need to not merely know about God but to know God personally.
The way we begin our relationship with God is to meet Jesus crucified and risen, fall in love with Him, and give our lives to Him. He's the Way (Jn 14:6) into the relationship. After getting to know Jesus, He reveals to us the heavenly Father. "No one comes to the Father" except through Him (Jn 14:6). Jesus also introduces us to the Spirit by baptizing us in the Spirit (Mk 1:8). At this point, the depth of our relationship is such that it is Trinitarian. But that's just the beginning. The Father reveals the Son in greater depth and sends the Paraclete (Mt 11:27; Jn 14:16). The Spirit cries out "Abba" and reveals the implications of Jesus' lordship (Gal 4:6; 1 Cor 12:3).
How deep are you into this Trinitarian relationship? Do you know the Son personally? Is the unrationed gift of the Spirit (Jn 3:34) flowing freely in your life? Can your relationship with the Lord stand no matter what? At this Easter time, "grasp fully, with all the holy ones, the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ's love, and experience this love" (Eph 3:18-19).
Prayer: Holy Trinity, may I plunge into Your depths.
Promise: "We testify to this. So too does the Holy Spirit, Whom God has given to those that obey Him." —Acts 5:32
Praise: St. John's relationship with God was so deep that he invited destitute boys without opportunity for advancement into his home where they were taught and discipled. Our Forty Hours Adoration and Family Camp-out takes place at the Paul Jansen Discipleship Center and Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel May 19-21, 2005. For information or to register, call 937-587-5464 or e-mail retreats@presentationministries.com)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 12, 2004
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