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transformed by the spirit

July 1, 2017

"COURAGEOUS WITNESSES"

The coming of the Holy Spirit changes fearful men, enclosed behind shut doors, into courageous witnesses of Jesus.

"A FLOOD OF GRACE"

Fifty years of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. A flood of grace of the Spirit!

"MOST PRECIOUS GIFT"

The most precious gift that all of us have received is Baptism. And now the Spirit is leading us on this journey of conversion sweeping across the entire Christian world. It is one more reason why the Catholic Charismatic renewal is a privileged place for pursuing the path to unity!

GRACE FOR ALL

This flood of grace is for the whole Church, not just for some, and none of us is the "master" and the others servants. No. We are all servants of this flood of grace.

POWER OF PRAISE

... You constantly remind the Church of the power of prayer of praise. Praise that is the prayer of gratitude and thanksgiving for Gods gracious love.

THREE ESSENTIALS

Baptism in the Holy Spirit, praise, social action. The three things are inseparably linked. I can give deep thanks, but if I do not help those in need, it is not enough. "There was not a needy person among them", says the Book of Acts (4:35)

BASIS OF JUDGMENT

We will be judged, not on our praise but on what we have done for Jesus. "Lord, when did we do this to You? When you did it for one of these little ones, you did it to Me" (cf Mt 25:39-40)

"THE CHURCH COUNTS ON YOU"

Thank you, Catholic Charismatic Renewal, for what you have given to the Church in these fifty years! The Church counts on you, on your fidelity to God's word, on your readiness to serve, and on your testimony of lives transformed by the Holy Spirit!

HIGH EXPECTATIONS

To share baptism in the Holy Spirit with everyone in the Church, to praise the Lord unceasingly, to walk together with Christians of different Churches and Ecclesial Communities in prayer and activity on behalf of those in greatest need, to serve the poor and the sick. This is what the Church and the Pope expect from you, Catholic Charismatic Renewal, but also from everyone here: all of you who have become part of this flood of grace.

(Source: Address at Pentecost Vigil of Prayer, June 3, 2017)