Have you ever heard of lenticular printing? Well, that is the process that is used to create the print I have hanging in my kitchen. Basically, if I look at the picture from one angle, I see Jesus at the Last Supper. If I move slightly and look again, I see Jesus on the cross. If I move again, I see Jesus as the Good Shepherd. It’s all in one picture frame, all colorful and very detailed. It is one of the best purchases I’ve ever made!

I don’t know about you, but I am inspired by visual aids. For example, I might be getting something out of the refrigerator, and as I close the door and look over on the wall where that print hangs, I see the Good Shepherd and am reminded of that beautiful Psalm 23, “the Lord is my shepherd.” A few verses might come to mind and a little prayer may be inspired. Lovely, useful visual stimulation!

We know people’s observations and conclusions do not always agree. Three individuals could understand the same concept in three different ways. We come from different backgrounds, disciplines, experiences, and belief systems; no wonder we hear of controversies and arguments.

Today is the optional memorial of St. Callistus I, a third-century pope who was greatly criticized, particularly by St. Hippolytus, on matters of discipline and doctrine. From the writings of Hippolytus, we gather that he considered Callistus too lenient toward sinners and differed with the pope on issues including the reception of Holy Communion, marriage, and even ordination requirements. They probably had read many of the same texts and documents but had come to different interpretations.

How we see things is a subject in sacred scripture too. In a few of the verses from the optional gospel reading for the memorial, Luke 22:24-26, we read about Jesus correcting the disciples’ vision of greatness.

A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them
was to be regarded as the greatest.
But he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles Lord it over them;
and those in authority over them are called benefactors.
But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become
like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves.”

Certainly today, with politicians at odds over a number of issues, we are bombarded with more than one opinion about many important matters affecting our country. I suggest that we bombard Jesus, our Good Shepherd, with prayers for patience, mutual understanding, and above all, for God’s will to be fully accomplished.

The way I see it, St. Paul had wonderful instructions for the Philippians that we should follow:

Do not worry about anything,
but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And the peaceof God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7).

Sharon Krause is a RENEW volunteer whose writing has appeared in several resources for small-group faith sharing. She is a wife, mother, and grandmother residing in Manchester, CT. Over the years, she has served in many parish ministries.

 Scripture passages are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1965, 1966 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

 Resource: franciscanmedia.org

 

We are blessed to have guidance, inspiration, and enlightenment from the Holy Spirit. Let us pray with the following little meditations—kind of miniature stations—on the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity.

 

#1. The angel, Gabriel, tells Mary she will conceive by the Holy Spirit and bear a son, Jesus.

The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the most High will overshadow you;
therefore the child to be born will be holy;
he will be called Son of God. (Luke 1:35)

 
What a life-changing announcement! Mary’s holiness and favor with God have not been overlooked. As young and naive as she was, she was willing and able to be God’s servant. What excuses do we find for not taking on even small invitations to holiness? The Holy Spirit will give us the wisdom and openness to conceive of little acts of kindness for others and then deliver them.
 
#2. John the Baptist tells the people of a powerful Messiah who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.

John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water;
but one who is more powerful than I is coming;
I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and Fire. (Luke 3:16)

 Most of us were babies when we were baptized. Before we could even understand the gifts of power and strength that were given to us, we were favored by God through the Holy Spirit. So now, let us not waste time before spreading the fire of God’s love to others. Now we know about our potential!
 
#3. Jesus promises the disciples that the Holy Spirit will teach them to defend themselves.

When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities,
do not worry about how you are to defend yourselves or what you are to say;
for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what you ought to say. (Lk 12:11-12)

Do we shy away from mentioning our faith, what we believe, when we talk to others?
We don’t have to be expert catechists to share our God experiences. Saying “omg” is not enough. We can vocalize our joy and gratitude for our blessings!
 
#4. Jesus promises the Holy Spirit will be sent to his disciples.

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

We can pray to the Holy Spirit and ask for help in understanding when we read the Gospels. We often need to be reminded of what Jesus has said to us. Sometimes we get used to hearing certain truths and need new insights. The Holy Spirit is great at new and practical insights! We just need to take the time to open our minds.
 
#5. Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit onto the disciples with the power to forgive sins.
 Jesus said to them again,

“Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
“Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them;
if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” (John 20:21-23)

So, the sacrament of reconciliation was born. The Holy Spirit helps us with forgiveness—not only receiving it but also giving it. Do we have trouble forgiving certain offenses? Do we hold even simple grudges? God won’t hold a grudge. We can ask the Holy Spirit for help in the forgiveness department. Reconciliation invites us to peace and new beginnings. Check out that sacrament again!
 
#6. Jesus commissions the disciples in the name of the Trinity.
 And Jesus came and said to them,

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit….(Matt 28:18-19)

 We can make disciples with the Holy Spirit’s help. We know what it is like to share good news with someone. What better news can we possibly share than the good news of Jesus Christ? We don’t have to preach in order to teach. Actions speak quite loudly.
 
#7. The Holy Spirit comes at Pentecost.

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages,
as the Spirit gave them ability. (Acts 2:4)

 Sometimes we don’t understand others, even when they are speaking our native tongue. People can get wrapped up in emotion, confusion, prejudice, fear, and say things they might not say in other circumstances. Words can take on many different meanings. We can ask the Holy Spirit to temper us in our language, help us think a little longer before we speak. We can pray to the Spirit for a unifying, patient language of love.
 
#8. The Holy Spirit helps us to pray.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness;
for we do not know how to pray as we ought,
but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.
And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit,
because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
(Romans 8:26-27)

 Help is out there! If we feel stale or rusty, or we need new prayer practices, we can ask the Holy Spirit for some help. We can ask help from friends and family, priests and deacons. Many resources are available through RENEW International. Ask the Holy Spirit for direction and motivation. 

Scripture passages are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
 
Sharon Krause is a RENEW volunteer whose writing has appeared in several resources for small-group faith sharing. She is a wife, mother, and grandmother residing in Manchester, Connecticut. Over the years, she has served in many parish ministries.