Guidelines Sheet - Easter Series: 13–19 May, 2024

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In the past four weeks, we have prayed on the different experiences of the early Christians – experiences that are no different from ours in the present time. As we continue to draw from their examples of perseverance, we also recognize that in all the ups and downs of their missionary journey, it was not by their own strength that their mission of evangelization and creation of evangelizing communities had become fruitful, but by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

As we prepare ourselves for the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Pentecost, we can continue to deepen on the role of the Holy Spirit in our personal and communitarian journey as the lead and protagonist of our life of faith and mission. 

“But it is the word of the Spirit, the strength of the Spirit that bears them onward to change the world. The proclamation of the Gospel, therefore, is only realized in the power of the Spirit, who precedes the missionaries and prepares hearts: He is “the engine of evangelization”. (Pope Francis)

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MONDAY (MAY 13)
2 Corinthians 3:17-18

Now, “the Lord” in this passage is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is present, there is freedom. All of us, then, reflect the glory of the Lord with uncovered faces; and that same glory, coming from the Lord, who is the Spirit, transforms us into his likeness in an ever greater degree of glory.
​(2 Corinthians 3:18)

The Holy Spirit configures us in the image of Christ. While it is true that our transformation in Christ is a grace from Him, we also need perseverance and fidelity to the means given to us. It is always a collaborative effort.

The configuration of the VDMD with Christ is a process that the Holy Spirit carries out with each person in a singular and particular way.
(VDMD Regulations no. 37)

 As Verbum Dei, what are the concrete means that we are encouraged to live in the daily life to allow the Holy Spirit to transform us into the image of Christ? In VDMD Regulations no. 75, it says:

The VDMFa has the Four Exercises as a means for us to live out our spirituality and mission. These are:

• exercise of prayer
• exercise of fraternal love
• exercise of the cross and humility
• exercise of mission

The four exercises have their foundation in the life of Jesus. He taught His disciples to pray, love, and evangelise based on a foundation of humility. Through these exercises, the Holy Spirit forms and transforms the disciple into Christ.
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How is my practice of these four exercises? How is it helping me in my becoming Christ every day? What are the challenges and temptations I experience in trying to practice these exercises?

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TUESDAY (MAY 14)
John 14:26

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
​(John 14:26)

Jesus was very clear of the “reminding role” of the Holy Spirit in our life of faith. The Spirit who inspired and reminded the evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) of the life of Jesus to write the Gospels that we have now is the same Spirit who continues to facilitate our encounter with God in prayer.

As Verbum Dei, we receive guidelines, retreats, formations, and recollections, etc.. Yet, there could be moments that all what we receive, when not assimilated and lived out, coud just pass us by without allowing it to affect us. In those times, we can count on the Holy Spirit to help us understand the Word of God and to recall our experiences with Him.
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Today, in our prayer, we can ask the Holy Spirit, to give us the gift of memory: to help us remember or recall experience/s of prayer and mission that could encourage us to rekindle the fire in our journey of discipleship this time.

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WEDNESDAY (MAY 15)
1 Corinthians 12​

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. There are different ways of serving, but the same Lord is served. There are different abilities to perform service, but the same God gives ability to all for their particular service. The Spirit's presence is shown in some way in each person for the good of all.
​(1 Corinthians 12:4-7)

St. Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, describes the different charisms and ministries gifted and inspired by the Holy Spirit -- all at the service of giving life to the Body of Christ. No charism is greater than the other because what each one has is valuable and necessary.

"The Holy Spirit also enriches the entire evangelizing Church with different charisms. These gifts are meant to renew and build up the Church. They are not an inheritance, safely secured and entrusted to a small group for safekeeping; rather they are gifts of the Spirit integrated into the body of the Church, drawn to the center which is Christ and then channeled into an evangelizing impulse 
(Evangelii Gaudium no. 130).

As disciples of Christ, we have received the gift of being Verbum Dei. What does it mean for me? Am I aware of the gifts I have that I can contribute to the mission of evangelization through the different ministry and committee that we have in te community?  How do I also value the gifts of others and encourage one another to put it at the service of God and His people?
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We want to respond to the call of the Holy Spirit. We support the Spirit's work in the world, in the Church and the VDMFa. We are conscious of the Spirit's trust in us, shown by the personal talents given us and by sending us on mission. On this mission, we assume the ministries, services, and mission fields entrusted to us.
(VDMD Regulations no.124)

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THURSDAY (MAY 16)
Galatians 5:16-25

What I say is this: let the Spirit direct your lives, and you will not satisfy the desires of the human nature. 
(Galatians 5:16)
 
As disciples of Christ, we cannot be naive of the different temptations that may hinder us in our following. St. Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, reminds us that we can only overcome them when we allow the Holy Spirit to direct our lives. We will know that it is the Holy Spirit leading our life when we are experiencing His fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control.
 
And so, when we are experiencing the opposite -- hatred, sadness, fear, impatience, lack of self-control and all that may hinder us from loving God and others and cause us to sin, we know that it is not the Holy Spirit leading our life. In recognizing it, we are encouraged to seek forgiveness through the sacrament of reconciliation and to ask the Holy Spirit to renew our hearts.
 
Living our vocation as VDMDs in the light of the Holy Spirit, we cannot but be aware of our failings. Hence, we gratefully seek the sacrament of Reconciliation, where we will experience anew the merciful embrace of the Father, who constantly heals and frees us, to continue our journey in communion with our brothers and sisters, following in the footsteps of Jesus.
​(VDMD Regulations no. 90)

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FRIDAY (MAY 17)
2 Peter 1:16-21

Above all else, however, remember that none of us can explain by ourselves a prophecy in the Scriptures.  For no prophetic message ever came just from the human will, but people were under the control of the Holy Spirit as they spoke the message that came from God.
(2 Peter 1:21)

As Verbum Dei, we are called to preach the Word  of God through the different ways and means. Sometimes,  when we give guidelines or talks, we are concerned if our preaching is enough or if our preaching helps the listeners. Today, we are being reminded that the transforming power of God’s Word  does not come from our own, but from the Holy Spirit. When we are faithful in listening to the Him in our prayer and preparation, it surely will reach the hearts of people.

Let us ask the Holy Spirit to give us confidence to proclaim God’s Word not only when we preach, but in the reality where we are. Even in the simple dialogue with people, we can transmit the Word of God.

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PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

​Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created,
and you shall renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray.
O God, who have taught the hearts of the faithful
by the light of the Holy Spirit,
grant that in the same Spirit we may be truly wise
and ever rejoice in his consolation.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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PRAYER FOR THE CONGRESS
To be held in Loeches, Spain from
 August 30 – September 27, 2024

“Communion, Consecration and Participation in the Mission”

Father, you who create and sustain all things with your love, we ask you to make us artisans of communion, so that as we journey towards the Congress we may know how to welcome the diversity that characterizes us as the Verbum Dei Missionary Family.
 
Jesus, human face of God, consecrate us to your Word so that the Congress may be prepared and carried out in profound fidelity to your voice, listening to each one of us and to the signs of the times.
 
Holy Spirit, you who open rivers in the desert, guide us in this time of discernment and decision, so that we may live, embody and offer our charism ever more fully, so that all the baptised may participate in the mission of Jesus entrusted to the Church.
 
Accompany us, Mary, with your loving motherly presence and intercession, so that this Congress may be a channel of hope in which God transforms us and makes all things new. Amen.
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