Events
* October 7. 2022:
"1st Friday Mass" Church of the Epiphany,
San Francisco, CA
Post Conference Survey
Holy Spirit Conference: Talk 1: Jesse Romero
Four videos available:
Two: Jessee Romero, Two: Fr. Joe Freedy
Holy Spirit Conference,
Saturday, September 17, 2022
Rev. Fr. Joseph Landi also received an appreciation from the Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone during the Silver Jubilee Holy Spirit Conference for his service as Liaison, for his leadership in initiating the first Holy Spirit Conference, for spreading the good news to Four Thousand readers of the San Francisco Charismatic Newsletter, for establishing the first SFSpirit website and finally for his visionary zeal in encouraging growth in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the Archdiocese of San Francisco.
Holy Spirit Conference Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, we come before You, with our Hearts full of Gratitude for all that You have done throughout these 25 years in the Charismatic Renewal, in the Archdiocese of San Francisco. We ask You Jesus to send us Your Holy Spirit and renew our hearts, and for all attending the Holy Spirit Conference today.
Open our Hearts to receive the Anointing of Your Holy Spirit once again, as in the Day of Pentecost. Let Your Fire Burn within us, so that we can be Bold in Proclaiming Your Good News to others, in word and action. May they see You in every moment in our lives.
Come Holy Spirit Come and Renew the Face of the Earth. In Jesus Mighty Name we pray. Amen.
Fruitful Corner
REFLECTION FOR MONDAY
October 3, 2022
By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA
THE HEART OF MERCY AND LOVE
“Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:36-37
Our gospel reference today forms part of the familiar story of the Good Samaritan. In this story, Jesus reminds us that anyone in need is our neighbor and should be treated with kindness and mercy. It is one thing to hear “go and do likewise,” it is another to freely love and freely accept this command and carry it out.
In this parable, Jesus presents three philosophies of life concerning our relationship with our neighbor. First is the philosophy of the thieves who robbed the Samaritan: “What is yours is mine; I will take it by force. The second is the philosophy of the Jewish priest and the Levite: “What is mine is mine; I won’t part with it.” And the third is the philosophy of the Samaritan: “What is mine is yours as well. I shall share it with you.
The parable also tells us of the three kinds of people we encounter on the road of life. The “user”- the thief, the “Avoider”- the priest and Levite, and the “Helper”- the Samaritan. When Jesus asked the disciples which of these three acted as a neighbor, they didn’t respond “the Samaritan.” Rather, they responded, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Mercy was the key focus.
It is so easy to be judgmental and harsh with one another. If you read the newspapers or listen to the news commentators, you can’t help but hear continual judgment and condemnation. Our fallen human nature seems to thrive on being critical of others. And when we are not critical, we are often tempted to act like the priest and Levite in this story. We are tempted to turn a blind eye to those in need. The key must be to always show mercy and show it in superabundance.
As Christians, we need to have hearts of mercy. We need to remember that the road from Jerusalem to Jericho passes right through our home, parish and workplace. Jesus is inviting us to show mercy and kindness to those who are being hurt or mistreated on any of the “Jericho Roads” of our lives in our family, neighborhood, school, workplace, and parish.
Reflect, today, upon the call God gives you to show mercy. Mercy, in order to be true mercy, must hurt. It must “hurt” in the sense that it requires you to let go of your pride, selfishness and anger and choose to show love instead. You choose to show love to the point that it hurts. But that hurt is a true source of healing in that it cleanses you of your sin. Saint Mother Teresa is quoted as saying, “I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.” Mercy is the kind of love that may hurt at first, but in the end leaves only love.
Lord Jesus, make me an instrument of Your love and mercy. Help me to show mercy especially when it is hard in life and when I do not feel like it. Help me to remember that the road from Jerusalem to Jericho passes right through my heart. May You transform every moment of encounter to moment of grace to love and show mercy. Jesus, I trust in You.
Saint of the Day
Mission Statement
As a lay organization, the mission of the Charismatic Renewal is:
- To help all people come to know the love of God in their lives as demonstrated through our Lord, Jesus Christ.
- To help our brothers and sisters respond to God's love by loving God in return through a commitment to serve Christ and His Church.
- To assist them to listen and follow the movement of the Holy Spirit at work in their lives.
- To help our brothers and sisters recognize the ministry that God has called them to, and accept the gifts that God desires to bestow upon them for His work in our Church and in our world.
- To lead them to a New Life offered to us by the Holy Spirit.
