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May 08, 2020 4499 Antony Thomas
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A Friendship to Cherish

Someone asked a great man the secret of his success. He answered: “I had a friend who loved me and had faith in me. He made my life worthwhile.” Do you have a friend like that? You really need one!

Forgotten God?

Like the mighty wind on the first Pentecost, the Holy Spirit moves around the world inspiring people to lift their hearts in novenas of prayer for the grave needs which beset us. The scene is reminiscent of people rising from sleep late and rushing to catch up on what they have missed. It is a “gold rush” with a prize greater than any treasure in this world.

Yes, we need the Holy Spirit every day, not just when we have special needs, or the Feast of Pentecost or Confirmations come around. Although many treat Him like a monument of the past, He is always a movement of the present, breathing fresh air into the hearts of men and women around the world.

Our Lord Jesus had a lot to say about how essential the Holy Spirit is to our daily lives.

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,” (John 14:16).

At any moment, we can call upon the Holy Spirit to come to our aid in every circumstance. My wife told me that one afternoon she felt exhausted and discouraged as she contemplated the mound of dirty clothes and the multitude of other tasks requiring her attention. As fatigue washed over her, she cried out, “Holy Spirit help me”. As soon as the words left her lips, she felt the power of God surge within her, delivering the vitality she needed to complete the chores.

Digging for Gold Mines

Sometimes, we are reluctant to request His help in trivial matters, thinking that the Holy Spirit concerns Himself only with great spiritual matters. But the truth is, every little bit of our lives is important to God, and the Holy Spirit’s purpose is to give us the strength to accomplish the will of God in everything. Our jobs, our studies, our hobbies and especially our relationships are important to the kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit binds us together in His love and fills us with God’s wisdom. Building a relationship with the Holy Spirit is like digging a mine for gold that never runs out.

My friend’s wife had struggled for years with a dreadful condition affecting her scalp. She had tried a multitude of remedies, but nothing helped, and the condition was getting worse. Finally, he called upon the Holy Spirit for wisdom, and the good Lord revealed to him the names of herbs that could heal this condition. He jotted them down, researched them on the internet and spoke to a herbalist. When he used these herbs to make a solution to apply to her scalp, his wife was completely relieved of her debilitating condition after only a few days. When he shared it with friends and relations, they were also healed. This product became the source of his livelihood and he continues to prosper, helping many others because he tapped into the wisdom of the Holy Spirit.

Following the Inspirations

Saint Faustina knew that the shortest route for growth in holiness was to follow the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. She writes, “I am trying my best to be faithful, throughout the day, to the Holy Spirit and to fulfil His demands.”

The Holy Spirit is always available to guide us, remind us, help us and protect us. A few days ago, I urgently needed a document, but could not lay my hand on it. I searched in many places without success until I asked the Holy Spirit to reveal its location. As soon as I said this prayer, I saw a cupboard in my mind. I beheld the left side of the cupboard. Going straight to it, I found the document there.

The Word of God reminds us that “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) and to “Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us,” (2Timothy 1:14). Our faith is the most important treasure God has given us. We guard it, and the many other blessings He has bestowed upon us, by freely sharing them under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

When the Holy Spirit comes upon us, everything that belongs to Him becomes ours—His peace, His joy, His righteousness.

As we move towards the day of Pentecost this year, let us pray that we may grow in our friendship with the Holy Spirit all year round, that He may enliven us and strengthen us for each day’s challenges.

Breathe into me, Holy Spirit, that my
thoughts may all be holy.
Move in me, Holy Spirit, that my work, too,
may be holy.
Attract my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may
love only what is holy.
Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may
defend all that is holy.
Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I may
always be holy.

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Antony Thomas

Antony Thomas is a retreat preacher and was part of the intercession ministry of Divine Retreat Centre for 18 years. He has written several books on the Holy Spirit and currently resides at Chalakudy, Kerala, with his wife Amala. www.antonythomas.in.

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