15 October 2016 - enlightened hearts

[ Today's Readings ]

The enemy uses fear to try to shut us down and keep us from talking about Jesus. He wants us to deny Jesus before others. But we don't have to give in to the fear. We know that we get things wrong sometimes and live in a way that doesn't give testimony to the Son of Man. But this doesn't need to make us afraid either. As long as we don't give up or surrender to despair the Holy Spirit will be there to help us.

do not worry about how or what your defense will be
or about what you are to say. 
For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.

The enemy wants us to think that it is all about us. If we try to talk about Jesus it doesn't go well he likes to remind us about how we weren't the perfect witness and so ought never speak up again. But it isn't all about us. It is about "the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe, in accord with the exercise of his great might, which he worked in Christ".

If we're afraid of speaking up for Jesus we need to ask to realize more fully what we have in him.

May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened,
that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call,
what are the riches of glory
in his inheritance among the holy ones

The Father has put all things beneath the feet of Jesus. It is his will that Jesus fill all things in every way. The enemy can't stand against this power. Fear is ultimately a lie. It is a last ditched effort to sabotage a small piece of a victory which is already won. Let's not give in to fear. Let's look with enlightened eyes and trust the Holy Spirit.

You have made him little less than the angels,
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You have given him rule over the works of your hands,
putting all things under his feet.

Let nothing disturb you,

let nothing frighten you,

everything passes,

but God stays.

Patience reaches it all;

he who has God

nothing lacks:

God alone suffices.

-  Teresa of Avila