Witness
of Love: The vocation of the
by
Jim Murphy
When
we speak of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, several images often come to mind:
enthusiastic praise, lively music, profound joy, the power of the charisms, or
profound experiences of prayer. All of these associations are appropriate. The
Renewal is all of this, and much more.
As
wonderful as these things are, they point to a deeper reality, a more profound
experience, the love of God.
GOD'S
LOVE FOR US:
We must remember that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is a great sign and
action of the love of God on our behalf.
Almighty
God is offering us an almost unimaginable gift, the opportunity to live a life
in deep union with Him. Human beings sharing life with the Eternal Godhead! How
is this possible? God in His infinite and perfect love poured out the Holy
Spirit upon us that we might be drawn into His very heart. How marvelous is the
love of God!
Yet
the action of the Holy Spirit in our lives is not only to benefit us. As we
are empowered, transformed, and animated by the Holy Spirit, we go out into the
world to help bring the rest of humanity into a "Life in God's Spirit, a
Life in God's Love." We have received so much from God. How could we
possibly keep it to ourselves?
PROCLAMATION:
Too many of us, the love of God is so present, so much a part of our daily
lives, that we often forget that many, many people really do not know that they
are loved by their heavenly Father. Many of them need to be gently yet clearly
told about God, His plan of salvation, and His deep and personal love for each
individual.
Even
if people intellectually know about God, they must hear the message of love
presented again in the heart. The Holy Spirit wants this message proclaimed and
will help us do so, if we are sensitive and obedient to His promptings; how much
to say and when to be quiet, what scripture to share to help make a point, etc.This
message is often backed up by God with demonstrations of His love... charisms.
Charisms are a sign of God's love at work in the world today. Many who have
experienced the charisms feel that they have found "living proof" that
God cares for them.
We
must be willing to be obedient to the leadings of God and use the charisms in
our proclamation of this Good News.
ACTIVATION:
St. James reminds us that simply talking about God's love is not enough....it
must be brought forth through action. The way we treat other people is another
way that the love of God is demonstrated in our world today. Many people who
have had an encounter with the Holy Spirit find themselves drawn into some kind
of tangible ministry; visiting the sick, feeding the hungry; defending the
unborn, etc. For them, it is inconsistent to have received so much love from God
and give so little back to the world. They therefore, pour themselves out for
others, as Christ poured Himself out for them.
God
often uses His servants to make His love tangible to the world today.
INTERCESSION:
Praying for the needs of others is a great way to be a witness of God's love. To
some degree, we share in the struggles of those for whom we pray. We
"wrestle with the angel" on their behalf, so that they too might
experience the love of God. True intercession has no place for smug,
self-righteousness on our part. We too, are poor sinners, constantly in need of
the loving mercy of God. Our prayer is only our petition on their behalf for
what we all need .....the love of God.
MANIFESTATION:
Have you ever been in the same room with someone who had experienced the love of
God? Their hearts are so united with God that their union is perceptible by
those around them.
A
priest once told me that a big part of his personal conversion came when he
walked past a very holy nun. They never even spoke to one another! As he passed
her, he actually felt his
heart
burn with love of God! After a few times of being in this sister's presence, his
own heart seemed permanently "inflamed" and he too, began to exude
that mystical Presence. All of this was because he literally walked past another
human being who carried the love of God in her heart!
Never
underestimate the power of a heart immersed in the love of God! It literally can
change the people who come into its presence!
Of
course, this witness of love is not something we can merely conjure up within
ourselves. It is all by the grace of God. If we love God, if we are docile to
the Holy Spirit, if we are overwhelmed by the love of God and share that love
with others....it is all because God loved us first.
The
men and women of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal are men and women who seek to
live by the Spirit of God. Those who live in the
Spirit
of God will ultimately become the witnesses of God's love.