Spiritual Message from Fr Augustinos:
On Sunday we celebrate the feast of Pentecost.
Zacharias the father of St John the Baptist prophesised at the birth of St John and said in
Luke 1:68 “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people.”
The incarnated God in Jesus Christ came, visited and lived among His people.
When Christ ascended to the heavens the glory of glories, God then sent His Spirit at Pentecost to dwell in His people, as it was prophesised by the Prophet Joel 2:28 “That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh.”
St Louis IX King of France 1226 to 1270, When his child was baptised immediately after the baptism he kissed the heart of his child and said “hello my Lord Jesus Christ”. It is so beautiful to know that God lives with us and in us every second of our lives. We take him with us everywhere we go, he sees what we see, hears what we say and hear, and he knows what we think. This should drive us to make the effort to please Him every minute of our lives and by doing this then the grace of God will be bestowed upon us through the work of the Holy Spirit in us and we will experience a deep feeling within us of Gods peace, love, compassion, mercy and His glory.
We live in a world that encourages addiction in many forms and bad habits that are difficult to overcome, they can only be over come by the Grace of God that will work through the Holy Spirit within us. How?
1. First step, we need to want to give up the addiction or bad habits.
2. Then sincere repentance but beware that Satan will put the urges and they will be strong.
3. Confession and accountability weekly to your confession father.
4. Have Holy communion and attend liturgies as much as possible, immerse yourself with the body and blood of our Lord Jesus.
5. In time the Grace of God will come and deliver you from the addiction or bad habits.
6. There is no other way except by the Grace of God that will deliver you and transform you and wipe away even the thought of the sin.