​I picture myself being in the crowd, following Jesus on his way to Jerusalem, listening to him teach along the way. I might have been one of the many who found the shouting by Bartimaeus to be bothersome and irritating. I might have been one of those who sternly told him to be quiet. I would have been eager to hear what Jesus was saying, excited to go to Jerusalem with Jesus. I would not want anyone to interrupt me and my plans for the day, and I might have been a little protective of Jesus and his plans for the day. Why let this guy steal the attention or delay our arrival in the Holy City? I might not have been interested, amused, or patient.

As usual, Jesus shows me the better way. He heard the man shout “Have mercy on me!” He took the beggar seriously. He didn’t shun him or turn away from him. He heard Bartimaeus when he cried out and he stopped. Bartimaeus was attended to, granted what he asked Jesus to do for him. Not only did he receive his sight, but immediately he began to follow Jesus on the way. I learn that those who truly follow Jesus, rejoicing, are the poor, those who have suffered spiritual blindness, those who need help and support. Their poverty and suffering cause them to insist and shout... and to distract me. My plans for my day are interrupted, but my plans become unimportant in comparison to their need. Jesus is ready to stop and help, but am I?

The plea “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” can take many forms. Sometimes it is unspoken, just shouting at me through their eyes, through their misery and suffering, through their desperation, through their otherwise unexplained behaviour. Oh, that I could heal them like Jesus healed Bartimaeus. You know them. Don’t you wish you could heal them, too? But healing is the ministry of Jesus. My ministry, our ministry, is to connect the sufferer to Jesus, to make the introduction... or at the very least, to not impede their encounter with Jesus.

The blind beggar asks Jesus for sight, and he is healed immediately. There is a difference between physical sight and spiritual sight. Spiritual sight is the ability to see the greater picture, to see events through God’s eyes. Although Bartimaeus lacked physical sight, he did have the spiritual gift of “sight” that James and John did not have when they asked for special status in the Kingdom. That is why Jesus could say to Bartimaeus: “Your faith has saved you.” Jesus equated spiritual sight with faith.

Bartimaeus could see with his spirit, that Jesus could heal his physical blindness. The ability to see beyond the present is wisdom; and to see beyond the possible is faith, a grace from God. The Spirit of God empowers us with spiritual intuition and insight. We cannot arrive at faith by ourselves, yet God never forces faith upon us. Faith requires a truly human action; it requires that we make a choice. God offers us his gift, and we are free to choose it or reject it. When we choose faith, we actually choose cooperation and become partners with the Divine in our salvation and the salvation of the world. While faith goes beyond understanding, it does not conflict with human reason. In fact, human reason can lead to faith. If reason and faith appear to be in conflict with each other, reason requires patience. Human knowledge is never complete.

Human understanding takes time and will deepen faith. We know that we believe, but we long to know why. Knowledge and reason cannot tell us why we believe. Faith and understanding work hand in hand to bring us closer to our Creator. But faith needs to push the envelope of knowledge. Knowledge tells us what is possible. Faith tells us what is impossible. It
is our vision of the impossible that brings us to God. Are we as bold and persistent as Bartimaeus? Do we have his kind of faith?

Gospel Reflection
​Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

The Gospel you have just heard comes around every three years. Each time I preach about this Gospel I feel it is important to explain the literary device of hyperbole, especially for the protection of those who tend to take things in the Scriptures literally.

Put a millstone around your neck and be thrown into the sea? Tear out your eye if it causes you to sin? Cut off your hand? How about: I have a million things to do today. I am so hungry I could eat a horse. And my personal favourite: I have told you a million times, “Never exaggerate.” What do these statements have in common? They are exaggerations, figures of speech. This form of exaggeration is called hyperbole, from the Greek - hyper, meaning beyond or excess, and bol,
meaning to throw. Literally, hyperbole means to throw beyond. Used in speech it means an obviously extravagant statement, not intended to be taken literally.

So... fellow sinner, before you put a millstone around your neck and drown yourself, or maim yourself, let me make it perfectly clear that the last part of the Gospel was not meant to be taken literally. When Jesus talks about the millstone and cutting off your foot or hand and tearing out your eye because of sin, he is using... hyperbole...to make a point. The point is not to maim ourselves; it is to deal with the things in our lives that cause us to sin... so that we can live a holy life. Aren’t you glad we got that cleared up?

Today’s readings focus on the freedom of the Holy Spirit to blow when and where it will. In the reading from the Book of Numbers Eldad and Medad were not part of the inner circle when the Holy Spirit graced the leaders of Israel, but they received the same gift of prophecy. (The gift of speaking with divine inspiration) When asked to stop them, Moses said he wished everyone were a prophet. In Mark’s Gospel, John wanted Jesus to stop the guy down the road from exercising his healing ministry because he was not part of the inner circle of apostles. Jesus rejected that idea and said don’t stop anyone who is doing good in my name. We call this the exclusivism of the Apostolate, which essentially says “that can’t be good because I am not the one doing it.” We still see this exclusivism happening today. In last week’s Gospel message, when the disciples were arguing among themselves about who was the most important, Jesus made it clear that they were to treat everyone as more important than themselves and that they must serve all other people. Two weeks ago the Letter of James reminded us to “Love your neighbour as yourself.” It’s not good enough to say “Good Luck.” to people in need. If we don’t do good things for others, making sure they have food and clothing, then our faith isn’t real
faith.

These readings teach us about God’s concern, about God’s immense and unconditional love, for those who have no hope apart from miraculous intervention. These readings also show us clearly that Jesus came to save everyone, regardless of status or position. We baptized Christians are called to continue the ministry of Jesus. We do it in the name of Jesus Christ. We do it not for ourselves, but so that anyone who is in need can feel and hear about God’s love for them. Nowhere in the Scriptures is anyone who comes to Jesus rejected. We must be ever mindful of this. Are we jealous of others who prophesy even though they are not in our tent? Do we try to obstruct others who do God’s work simply because they are not in our tent? Do we serve everyone? Do we welcome everyone?

Perhaps today we can take a look at ourselves as we appear to others. Are we uneasy when other people speak about God? Are we willing to speak about God and God’s action and God’s grace in our lives? Are we able to be self-critical and acknowledge our own mistakes and failures? Are we able to rejoice when we see others doing the work of God with joy — even when those people may not be part of our Church? God wants to pour out His Spirit on all of us. When we invite Jesus into our lives and open our hearts to his Holy Spirit, how powerfully we are blessed. 

​For ten days, beginning on the Ascension and ending on Saturday, the eve of Pentecost. Please join us in prayer.

Novena to the Holy Spirit Thursday May 21st 11:00 am or 7:00 pm, Continuing until Saturday May 30th, 2020. FOR THE FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT and AN END OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

My Dear Friends in Christ,

A great urgency is being laid upon us from above to seek the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and the Fruit of the Holy Spirit in this time of the Covid-19 crisis in our world. In Chapter 4 of Acts of the Apostles we read that Peter and John were arrested and taken before the Council. They defended the faith, were released, and then told their story to their friends. The Believers prayed, “Lord… grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the Word of God with boldness. As we approach Pentecost let us call upon the Holy Spirit of God for healing from this Covid-19 pandemic, for an outpouring of his gifts, for signs and wonders, and for our own boldness in the faith. Let us pray together this Novena to the Holy Spirit, in the tradition of the Church, beginning on Ascension Day, Thursday May 21st and continuing until Saturday May 30th, the Vigil of Pentecost.

Although we are still not able to gather together to pray, we are able to pray together in unity. I am suggesting that those of us who are able to pray daily at 11:00 am do so, and those of us who are able to pray daily at 7:00 pm do so. Even if these two times are not good for you, pray daily for these nine consecutive days and we will be truly joined in spirit. In its original form this particular novena is based on the Fruit of the Holy Spirit and a desire for sainthood. I have retained that and added prayers regarding the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and the Covid-19 pandemic. Please feel free to share it. It is not just for Catholics. A reminder that at the back of the Sunday Missal you will find several traditional prayers

Let us pray:
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth. O God, who has taught the hearts of the faithful by light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by the gift of the same Spirit we may be finished with this virus, always truly wise, and ever rejoicing in your consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Deacon Patrick Morris
Saint John the Apostle Parish

BEGINNING PRAYERS, TO BE RECITED DAILY:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses I offer myself, soul and body to you, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of your purity, the unerring keenness of your justice, and the might of your love. You are the Strength and Light of my soul. In you I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve you by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against you. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for your light, and listen to your voice, and follow your gracious inspirations. I cling to you and give myself to you and ask you, by your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced feet of Jesus and looking at his five wounds, and trusting in his Precious Blood and adoring his opened side and stricken heart, I implore you, Adorable Spirit, helper of my infirmity, to keep me in your grace that I may never sin against you. Give me grace O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and of the Son to say to you always and everywhere, as did Samuel, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” Amen.

PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
O Lord Jesus Christ who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish your work in the souls of your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that he may perfect in my soul, the work of your grace and your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of your divine truth, the Spirit of Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with you and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease him. Mark me, dear Lord with the sign of your true disciples, and animate me in all things with your Spirit. Amen.

ENDING PRAYERS, TO BE RECITED DAILY:

CONCLUDING PRAYER
Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory be to the Father…
Come, O Divine Spirit, fill my heart with your heavenly fruits, your charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control and goodness, that I may never weary in the service of God, but by continued faithful submission to your inspiration I may merit to be united eternally with you in the love of the Father and of the Son. Amen.

PRAYER FOR AN END OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Gracious, Loving, and Merciful Father in Heaven, I worship you and adore you. In faith I come before you, asking for mercy and forgiveness for my sins against you and your creation. In this time of fear, anxiety and distress, I LIFT UP TO YOU THE COVID-19 SITUATION throughout the world. Father, I beg you to halt the spread of this disease and to grant healing and comfort to all those afflicted by it. Please cover everyone with your Holy Spirit and protect all of us, especially the vulnerable and those in the medical fields from infection and harm. Lord Jesus, I beseech you to grace our leaders and health care providers with the wisdom and knowledge to combat the spread of COVID 19, and to find the cure for it. Holy Spirit, please breathe peace and new life into every person throughout the world. May you grace us with a strong sense of social responsibility to do what is necessary, and to be prudent and considerate in our actions. Bless and inspire all people to work together as one family of God, to be compassionate to one another, and to love one another as Jesus has loved us. Most Holy Trinity, I believe in you and I place all my hope in you. You are my strength and my shield. I trust in you. By your love we are helped, and our hearts exult. I give thanks, glory, honour and all praise to you. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Day 1 – Charity
Beginning Prayers, then:


Lord… grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.

Let us bow down in humility at the power and grandeur of the Holy Spirit. Let us worship the Holy Trinity and give glory today to the Paraclete, our Advocate. Oh Holy Spirit, by Your power, Christ was raised from the dead to save us all. By Your grace, miracles are performed in Jesus’ name. By Your love, we are protected from evil. And so, we ask with humility and a beggar’s heart for Your gift of Charity within us. The great charity of all the host of Saints is only made possible by your power, Oh Divine Spirit. Increase in me, the virtue of charity that I may love as God loves with the selflessness of the Saints. Amen. Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be finished with this virus, truly wise and ever enjoy Your consolations, through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
Ending Prayers

Day 2 – Joy
Beginning Prayers, then:

Lord… grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.

Let us bow down in humility at the power and grandeur of the Holy Spirit. Let us worship the Holy Trinity and give glory today to the Paraclete, our Advocate. Oh Holy Spirit, by Your power, Christ was raised from the dead to save us all. By Your grace, miracles are performed in Jesus’
name. By Your love, we are protected from evil. And so, we ask with humility and a beggar’s heart for Your gift of Joy within us. All of the Saints are marked with an uncompromisable Joy in times of trial, difficulty and pain. Give us, Oh Holy Spirit, the Joy that surpasses all understanding that we may live as a witness to Your love and fidelity! Amen. Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be finished with this virus, truly wise and ever enjoy Your consolations, through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
Ending Prayers

Day 3 – Peace
Beginning Prayers, then:

Lord… grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.

Let us bow down in humility at the power and grandeur of the Holy Spirit. Let us worship the Holy Trinity and give glory today to the Paraclete, our Advocate. Oh Holy Spirit, by Your power, Christ was raised from the dead to save us all. By Your grace, miracles are performed in Jesus’ name. By Your love, we are protected from evil. And so, we ask with humility and a beggar’s heart for Your gift of Peace within us. The Saints were tempted, attacked and accused by the devil who is the destroyer of peace. When we are accused by the devil, come to our aid as our Advocate and give us Peace that lasts through all trials! Amen. Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be finished with this virus, truly wise and ever enjoy Your consolations, through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
Ending Prayers

Day 4 – Patience
Beginning Prayers, then:

Lord… grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.

Let us bow down in humility at the power and grandeur of the Holy Spirit. Let us worship the Holy Trinity and give glory today to the Paraclete, our Advocate. Oh Holy Spirit, by Your power, Christ was raised from the dead to save us all. By Your grace, miracles are performed in Jesus’ name. By Your love, we are protected from evil. And so, we ask with humility and a beggar’s heart for Your gift of Patience within us. Oh Holy Spirit, you give lavishly to those who ask. Please give us the patience of the Saints who are now with you in heaven. Help us to endure everything with an eternal patience that is only possible with your help. Amen. Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be finished with this virus, truly wise and ever enjoy Your consolations, through Christ
Our Lord, Amen.
Ending Prayers

Day 5 – Kindness
Beginning Prayers, then:

Lord… grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.

Let us bow down in humility at the power and grandeur of the Holy Spirit. Let us worship the Holy Trinity and give glory today to the Paraclete, our Advocate. Oh Holy Spirit, by Your power, Christ was raised from the dead to save us all. By Your grace, miracles are performed in Jesus’
name. By Your love, we are protected from evil. And so, we ask with humility and a beggar’s heart for Your gift of Kindness within us. Jesus approached sinners with immense kindness. Holy Paraclete, please treat us humble sinners with the same kindness and give us the ability to treat all others with that kindness as well. Amen. Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be finished with this virus, truly wise and ever enjoy Your consolations, through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
Ending Prayers

Day 6 – Faithfulness
Beginning Prayers, then:

Lord… grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servantJesus.

Let us bow down in humility at the power and grandeur of the Holy Spirit. Let us worship the Holy Trinity and give glory today to the Paraclete, our Advocate. Oh Holy Spirit, by Your power, Christ was raised from the dead to save us all. By Your grace, miracles are performed in Jesus’ name. By Your love, we are protected from evil. And so, we ask with humility and a beggar’s heart for Your gift of Faithfulness within us. You, oh Lord, are ever faithful. You are faithful until the end. Though we are weak and distracted, please give us the grace to be faithful to You
as you are to us! Amen. Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be finished with this virus, truly wise and ever enjoy Your consolations, through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
Ending Prayers

Day 7 – Gentleness
Beginning Prayers, then:

Lord… grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.

Let us bow down in humility at the power and grandeur of the Holy Spirit. Let us worship the Holy Trinity and give glory today to the Paraclete, our Advocate. Oh Holy Spirit, by Your power, Christ was raised from the dead to save us all. By Your grace, miracles are performed in Jesus’ name. By Your love, we are protected from evil. And so, we ask with humility and a beggar’s heart for Your gift of Gentleness within us. Despite the gravity of our sins, oh Lord you treat us with Gentleness. Dear Holy Spirit, give us your power to treat all in our lives with the Gentleness of the Saints. Amen. Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be finished with this virus, truly wise and ever enjoy Your consolations, through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
Ending Prayers

Day 8 – Self-Control
Beginning Prayers, then:

Lord… grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.

Let us bow down in humility at the power and grandeur of the Holy Spirit. Let us worship the Holy Trinity and give glory today to the Paraclete, our Advocate. Oh Holy Spirit, by Your power, Christ was raised from the dead to save us all. By Your grace, miracles are performed in Jesus’ name. By Your love, we are protected from evil. And so, we ask with humility and a beggar’s heart for Your gift of Self-Control within us. Your Martyrs had the overwhelming self-control to go joyfully to a painful death without shrinking from the opportunity to join You in heaven. Give
us this self-control to have command over our emotions and desires that we may serve You more fully. Amen. Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be finished with this virus, truly wise and ever enjoy Your consolations, through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
Ending Prayers

Day 9 – Goodness
Beginning Prayers, then:

Lord… grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.

Let us bow down in humility at the power and grandeur of the Holy Spirit. Let us worship the Holy Trinity and give glory today to the Paraclete, our Advocate. Oh Holy Spirit, by Your power, Christ was raised from the dead to save us all. By Your grace, miracles are performed in Jesus’
name. By Your love, we are protected from evil. And so, we ask with humility and a beggar’s heart for Goodness within us. We want to be like your Saints in heaven. Holy Spirit, renew us by your power with your Goodness that we may bring the Good News to the world. Amen. Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be finished with this virus, truly wise and ever enjoy Your consolations, through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
Ending Prayers