My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways. (Isaiah 55:8)

Like the apostles, we often don’t understand the way God works and gets things done. Often it is more than a mystery to us. Jesus knew that and told his disciples that he would send the “Advocate,” the Holy Spirit, to guide them after his Ascension. Jesus also prayed that those who believed and followed his disciples would be guided by that same Spirit present in their midst. We are filled with that Spirit through the Eucharist and the other sacraments. Our prayers are heard and answered, not as human people would think and move, but as God does.

God loves all of humanity and wants to save everyone who believes in him. Later, Acts of the Apostles show how the Holy Spirit guides the early disciples as they place their trust in this Spirit. They are able to overcome all sorts of obstacles because of their trust in God’s Spirit.

I wonder how Saint Paul had pity on the prison guard who was about to kill himself when the prisoners were miraculously freed from prison. He had earlier been beaten and chained into a dark cell by guards such as he. Saint Paul yells from the darkness of his cell for the guard not to kill himself because they had not tried to escape. The Spirit guided Saint Paul not only to save the man’s life but to bring his whole family into the new Christian faith and accept baptism.

We also must empathize with our neighbors, even though they may be our prison guards. Let us trust in the Spirit of God in the same way the early Christian disciples did.

Let Us Pray:

Spirit of Jesus, watch over these friends just as you watch over me. Show them your loving acceptance and support. Helped them to look at themselves and the decisions they are making honestly. If they experience pain, frustration, or failure, give them the strength to lean on you. Fill their days with laughter and love. Protect them and keep them safe all the days of their lives. Amen. Prayer for friends based on John, chapter 17, found in the Catholic Youth Bible.

Eucharistic Reflection – Center for Eucharistic Evangelizing (eucharisticevangelizing.com)
To receive the Daily Eucharistic Reflection in your email, please contact Director, CEE [cee@blessedsacrament.com]