One in Being with the Father

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sun Jun 02, 2019 4:09 pm Post subject: One in Being with the Father

One in Being with the Father

Scripture:

But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looking up steadfastly to heaven, saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God. And he said: Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. And they, crying out with a loud voice, stopped their ears and with one accord ran violently upon him. And casting him forth without the city, they stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen, invoking and saying: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And falling on his knees, he cried with a loud voice, saying: Lord, lay not this sin to their charge: And when he had said this, he fell asleep in the Lord. And Saul was consenting to his death.
(Acts 7:55-60)

Behold, I come quickly: and my reward is with me, to render to every man according to his works. I am Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Blessed are they that wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb: that they may have a right to the tree of life and may enter in by the gates into the city.

I, Jesus, have sent my angel, to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the root and stock of David, the bright and morning star. And the spirit and the bride say: Come. And he that hears, let him say: Come. And he that thirsts, let him come. And he that will, let him take the water of life, freely.

He that gives testimony of these things, says: Surely, I come quickly: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
(Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20)

And not for them only do I pray, but for them also who through their word shall believe in me. That they all may be one, as you, Father, in me, and I in you; that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that you have sent me. And the glory which you have given me, I have given to them: that, they may be one, as we also are one. I in them, and you in me: that they may be made perfect in one: and the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them, as you have also loved me. Father, I will that where I am, they also whom you have given me may be with me: that they may see my glory which you have given me, because you have loved me before the creation of the world. Just Father, the world has not known you: but I have known you. And these have known that you have sent me. And I have made known your name to them and will make it known: that the love wherewith you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.
(John 17:17-26)

Reflection:

To what do we consent when we act with the mob? The rule of the mob acts like a wave of destructive power whipped up by the tides and winds of emotion, but too often it acts without discernment of truth and that which is right and just. Emotions drive outrage and outrage drives action, but not always in ways which are right and just. This is why propagandists appeal first to emotions, for it stirs mobs to their cause without the need to address reason, truth, or justice.

We must ask ourselves, who is served as we are set against one another? Is it the interests of our Creator, the One who calls us to love Him and one another? (Matthew 22:36-40) Is it in our interest to stir hatred, conflict, and violence among ourselves? It is not possible to stir the blessings and joys of love through the emotions of hate, so, the only one who is served as enmity is nourished between peoples is the evil one. Sadly, too many hearts are lured to this snare such that the rages of the world are fanned into enormous flames which consume even well intentioned souls.

Who can stop the rule of the mob? Only the One who fills hearts with truth and teaches the blessings of righteousness and love. Only the One who offers forgiveness, even to the mob, for He knows how hearts react when they do not have full knowledge, how they are led to injustice, how they rush forth without knowing the consequences of what they do. (cf. Luke 23:34)

To the one which acts rashly, foolishly, or without love, the Lord offers mercy. If such souls recognize the infection of sin within them and approach Him with a contrite and repentant heart, His healing hand will rest upon them. As they face the great distress of sin, He will provide the blood of the Lamb by which they may wash white their robes, (cf. Revelation 7:14, 22:14) so they may be cleansed of the evil and iniquities which prevents them from entry into His kingdom.

The soul which is enlightened is the one which observes the ways of the Lord (cf. John 8:39-51, 13:35). It is the soul which repents and turns away from the ways of darkness. It is the soul which seeks to be one with the Son, the One who taught and lived the example of love commanded by the Father. (cf. John 10:17) As the soul becomes one with the Son, then too, it becomes one with and is filled with the love of the Father. (cf. John 14:20, 15:9, 17:21)

Let us, then, in prayer, ask that our hearts may be guided to the ways of the Word made Flesh. (cf. John 1:14) Let us ask that the Holy Spirit will help us to discern truth so our actions are filled with what is right and just. Let us ask God to help us see through those who would deceive us so we do not fall into the traps and snares of the evil one. Let us ask that our Lord will fill us with His ways so we may become part of the body of Christ, filled with His Spirit and the ways of His mercy and love. (1 Corinthians 12:12-31)

Questions for further reflection:

In what ways do we allow our emotions to be swept up with mobs and away from what is right and just?

In what ways do we seek to cut through deceptions so we might gain the truth necessary to act in ways which are right and just?

In what ways do we allow others to see the ways of God through our word and deed?

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier