Blush of the Spirit Jan 8, 2023
Fr. Bob was at the podium to proclaim the Gospel reading, and he had the wrong reading. Oopsie, he began again, and once more was at the wrong day. Third time was a success, and as he began his homily, with a rosy blush on his face, he remarked how blushing was an interior movement, a response to an external experience.
Being the good holy priest he is, led by the Spirit, he followed up on what could have been an awkward or embarrassing moment by relating how God’s grace is too an interior movement.
Fr Bob’s life journey included a time of deep occult involvement, followed by being set free through many prayers of exorcism after a trip to Medjugorje. The Lord brought him into a powerful healing ministry, often bringing peace and healing through the laying on of his hands. He explained how the blessing he imparts when he lays hands isn’t what brings the healing, but rather that blessing evokes from the recipient what is already present ~ it awakens God’s life within the person. That holy life is already there, waiting for a catalyst. This spark ignites the embers waiting for the breath of the Spirit to fan them into flame, to bring healing and restoration.
As a drop of Jesus’ precious blood flows through our body whenever we ask, bringing healing and peace, so too we can see this new life in the eyes of the recipient, even as we see the blush on a person’s face.
Knowing God’s presence lives within us, waiting to be shared in blessing, our very presence extended in love to another can be that spark that awakens God’s life within them. The atmosphere of a conversation, of a room, can be changed just by our intentional love extended to others.
A friend recently remarked how delighted and surprised she often is by the kindness of others, a kindness she hadn’t expected. She expects this from fellow Christians, but had been less expectant of non-believers. We spoke of how the presence of God within her, the desire to love and accept all those she encounters, is perhaps that very spark again that ignites the kindnesses she witnesses. After these encounters, that person who has shown kindness is brought closer to God, and likely to continue to extend His Goodness, perhaps without any awareness of what has happened. God’s Light is within every created being, just waiting to be called forth.
Thank You Lord, for Your presence within me, always with the potential to extend the Kingdom wherever I go. Reflecting on this Reality, another of those unseen yet real manifestations of grace, reminds me again to live in this awareness of God’s presence within me, and within everyone I encounter. Even as the warmth of a blush delights my soul, may it awaken Your life in all I encounter today and every day…
Spiritual Sun Pennies 