The Wild Goose was a term that the ancient Celts had for the Holy Spirit, and apart from the Wild Goose there is no life.
THE WILD GOOSE - PART 8 THE SPIRIT AND THE SACRAMENTS
“Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit and the door which gives access to the other sacraments.” _ Catechism of the Catholic Church 1213 "The Sacraments are always an encounter with the Holy Spirit and each and every time we come to the Sacraments, the Holy Spirit is present. Often times when we think of the Holy Spirit and His work in the Sacraments we only think of Confirmation. This is great, but the Holy Spirit is present in all of them. In this segment we will look at how the Holy Spirit is present in the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Marriage and how this can impact your life."
THE WILD GOOSE - PART 9 THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT
"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control... If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit." (Galatians 5:22-25) "By the way we live and how we treat people, our lives produce some type of fruit. The sort of fruit our lives produce has eternal consequences for us personally as well as a profound impact on those people we love. In fact, our fruit impacts all of our relationships, from the most casual to the most intimate. When we live animated by the Holy Spirit, our lives produce fruit that not only makes our own life more peaceful, patient, and loving but also influences positively those whom we encounter each and every day."
THE WILD GOOSE - PART 10 THE SPIRIT AND THE DESERT
“[Jesus] was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the Devil.” (Luke 4:1) "On the day Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit anointed Him. Immediately after this event the Holy Spirit led Jesus to the desert. The desert was a place of isolation, death and defeat but Jesus was led to the desert so that it may be forever changed. So that it may be a place of grace. The Spirit led Jesus to the desert and also protected and cared for Him while He was there. The desert is a part of every Christian’s life but it does not have to be a place of despair or isolation. The Holy Spirit is present to life’s deserts and when we experience His presence, it changes our spiritual life. The desert is no longer a place to be feared, but can be a profound encounter with Jesus."
THE WILD GOOSE - PART 11 THE SPIRIT CONVICTS
“And when He comes He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation: sin, because they do not believe in Me.” (John 16:8) "Pope Francis has stated that we must stop 'masquerading before God' in relation to our sin. We must take seriously the reality and nature of sin and the impact that sin has in our lives. It is not an exaggeration to say that our attitude towards sin has eternal consequence. Sin wounds and at times destroys our relationship with Christ. The Spirit of God convicts us of our sin, not to condemn us but to convert us. In this segment we will see how the Spirit draws us closer to Christ by revealing to us our sin."
THE WILD GOOSE - PART 12 THE SPIRIT'S FREEDOM
“When the Son sets you free you are free indeed.” (John 8:36) "The Holy Spirit brings freedom from fear, anger, and the past. So often Christians find themselves bound by so many things and are not aware that the Holy Spirit wants to bring the freedom of God to them. Many are slaves to anger, envy, jealousy, comparisons, and addictions. You do not have to live life like that. In this segment we will discuss how the Holy Spirit can bring you greater freedom."
THE WILD GOOSE - PART 13 THE SPIRIT'S WITNESS
“We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit that God has given to those who obey Him.” (Acts 5:32) "The Holy Spirit gives witness to Jesus. We are not able to fully understand who Jesus is on our own strength, intellect, and power. The Holy Spirit aids us in moving from our limited intellectual perception of who Christ is and what He has done for us, to a life-changing understanding of Christ. It is also the Holy Spirit who inspires us to give witness to Christ by our words and actions. This segment will look at how we are best able to cooperate with the Holy Spirit so that we may see Jesus as He is and give witness to Him."
THE WILD GOOSE - PART 14 THE SPIRIT REMEMBERS
“For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration His gift of the Spirit.” (John 3:34) "It’s important for us to remember the great things that God has done for us. Often we become consumed with our daily struggles and forget all that the Lord has done. We may also only focus on God not doing what we want of Him. One of the blessings of the Holy Spirit is that the Spirit reminds us what Jesus said and what He has done for us. There is no limit to what God has done or what He desires to do in our lives."
The Wild Goose was a term that the ancient Celts had for the Holy Spirit, and apart from the Wild Goose there is no life.
THE WILD GOOSE - PART 1
GOD'S LOVE POURED OUT
"God is Love." (1 John 4:8) "This simple statement is the beginning and the ending of our pilgrimage of Faith. God is Love and the Lord’s Love is perfect, passionate and unconditional. There is nothing that we can do that would cause God to love us more and nothing we can do that would cause Him to love us less. We are able to come to experience the beauty and freedom of God’s Love by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God reveals the Love of the Father that changes us. When we experience God’s Love we come to understand in a powerful way that we are in fact 'lovable.' God’s Love reveals our beauty and goodness before Him."
THE WILD GOOSE - PART 2
THE BREATH OF GOD
"The breath of the Almighty gives me life." (Job 33:4)
"The only way we are able to live a life of faith, a life full of love, peace, joy and power is by the Holy Spirit. We see this most clearly in the lives of the Apostles. They had every advantage in being with Jesus and hearing Him preach and seeing the many miracles that He had done. And yet, even with that advantage they were frightened men living their faith life in a locked room before they received the Holy Spirit. What took place in the upper room changed the lives of these men and women and would change the course of human history. This experience of the Holy Spirit is an encounter available to everyone; it is not reserved for a select few. Pentecost and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit is the theme of this segment."
THE WILD GOOSE - PART 3
BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT AND FIRE
"He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." (Matthew 3:11)
"Jesus came to baptize us in the Holy Spirit, and the power and grace that comes from the baptism in the Holy Spirit changes lives. For the millions of Catholics worldwide who have had this experience it is a transforming grace that brings freedom, peace, and the very presence of God. Unfortunately for many Catholics the term 'baptism in the Holy Spirit' is not a term with which they are familiar. In this segment we will discuss what the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is all about."
THE WILD GOOSE - PART 4
THE SPIRIT AND OUR LADY
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you." (Luke 1:35)
"Our Lady, from the moment of her conception, was overshadowed by the Holy Spirt. As the Spouse of the Holy Spirit she models for us what our lives can look like when we say 'yes' to God's will and fully give ourselves over to the actions of the Spirit of God. Mary's fiat led her to the cross, the empty tomb, and ultimately the upper room where she was once again overshadowed by the Holy Spirit. If we have the courage, as Mary did, to say yes to God’s Spirit, to surrender our will to His, we too will experience the power of the Most High overshadowing us."
THE WILD GOOSE - PART 5
GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
“The Spirit Himself is ‘God's gift’ par excellence (John 4:10) a gift from God, and in turn communicates different spiritual gifts to those who welcome Him." _ Pope Francis
"The greatest gift of the Holy Spirit is the Holy Spirit. The living God gives the gift of Himself to those who are baptized. From the Spirit flows other gifts, some of which are for our personal sanctification while others are for the building up and support of the body of Christ. Many of the gifts are very familiar to us (wisdom, counsel, love) while others are somewhat foreign (healing, prophecy, tongues). Whatever our experience, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are for all Christians, and no one should think that the gifts are not for them."
THE WILD GOOSE - PART 6
THE SPIRIT AND THE EUCHARIST
At the center of the Church is the Eucharist, where Christ is present and active in humanity and in the whole world by means of the Holy Spirit.” _ Pope St. John Paul II
"The Eucharistic Liturgy is saturated with the presence of the Holy Spirit. From the moment you decide to go to Mass, the Holy Spirit is active and alive. Sadly, many people don’t experience the Holy Spirit, and attending Mass becomes a chore for them rather than a life giving encounter with Jesus. In this segment we will look at a few of the many ways that the Holy Spirit is present in the Mass that will enable you to encounter God when you attend the Liturgy."
THE WILD GOOSE - PART 7
THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION
"For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, 'Abba, Father!'" (Romans 8:14-16)
"The Holy Spirit reveals many things to us. One of the most beautiful is the Spirit revealing God as our loving Father, our 'Abba - Daddy.' Jesus related to His Father as Abba and never before had God been spoken of in such personal and intimate terms. God as Abba is a uniquely beautiful Christian revelation. The Spirit of Jesus desires to free us from fear and a master-slave relationship to a Father-Daughter or Father-Son relationship."
"What we learn in the New Testament on charisms, which appeared as visible signs of the coming of the Holy Spirit, is not a historical event of the past, but a reality ever alive. It is the same divine Spirit, soul of the Church, that acts in every age and those mysterious and effective interventions of the Spirit are manifest in our time in a providential way. The Movements and New Communities are like an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the Church and in contemporary society. We can, therefore, rightly say that one of the positive elements and aspects of the Community of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal is precisely their emphasis on the charisms or gifts of the Holy Spirit and their merit lies in having recalled their topicality in the Church." _ Address of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI to Charismatic Catholics, October 2008
"...Do not grow weary of turning to Heaven: the world stands in need of prayer. It needs men and women who feel the attraction of Heaven in their life, who make praise to the Lord a new way of life. And may you be joyful Christians! I entrust you all to Mary Most Holy, present in the Upper Room at the event of Pentecost. Persevere with her in prayer, walk guided by the light of the living Holy Spirit, proclaiming the Good News of Christ." _ Address of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI to Charismatic Catholics, May 26, 2012
Prepare for a Personal Pentecost!
Life in the Spirit Seminar
Part 1
Life in the Spirit Seminar
Part 2
Life in the Spirit Seminar
Part 3
Life in the Spirit Seminar
Part 4
Life in the Spirit Seminar
Part 5
Life in the Spirit Seminar
Part 6
Life in the Spirit Seminar
Part 7
Halfhearted Commitment to the Faith is Nauseating to Christ: "I know your works; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit (vomit) you out of my mouth." (Revelation 3:15-16)
Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. (Romans 12:11)
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Evangelii Gaudium
Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis
On the Proclamation of the Gospel in
Today’s World
#259) Spirit-filled evangelizers means evangelizers fearlessly open to the working of the Holy Spirit. At Pentecost, the Spirit made the apostles go forth from themselves and turned them into heralds of God’s wondrous deeds, capable of speaking to each person in his or her own language. The Holy Spirit also grants the courage to proclaim the newness of the Gospel with boldness (parrhesÃa) in every time and place, even when it meets with opposition. Let us call upon him today, firmly rooted in prayer, for without prayer all our activity risks being fruitless and our message empty. Jesus wants evangelizers who proclaim the good news not only with words, but above all by a life transfigured by God’s presence.
#261) Whenever we say that something is “spirited,” it usually refers to some interior impulse which encourages, motivates, nourishes and gives meaning to our individual and communal activity. Spirit-filled evangelization is not the same as a set of tasks dutifully carried out despite one’s own personal inclinations and wishes. How I long to find the right words to stir up enthusiasm for a new chapter of evangelization full of fervor, joy, generosity, courage, boundless love and attraction! Yet I realize that no words of encouragement will be enough unless the fire of the Holy Spirit burns in our hearts. A spirit-filled evangelization is one guided by the Holy Spirit, for he is the soul of the Church called to proclaim the Gospel. Before offering some spiritual motivations and suggestions, I once more invoke the Holy Spirit. I implore him to come and renew the Church, to stir and impel her to go forth boldly to evangelize all peoples.
This morning, I believe the Lord showed me how to respond to a prayer request for someone with terminal cancer. I am also aware that this is an appropriate response to many other prayer requests I receive.
I replied: (The woman) should receive the Eucharist every day. For about 15 minutes after receiving Holy Communion, she will have within her, flowing through her body, the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ.
After receiving Holy Communion each day, (the woman) should pray:
Lord Jesus, as Your Blood mixes with mine and flows through my veins, purify my blood of all cancer cells. (Pause) Lord Jesus, as You flow through me, touch all the areas of my body that need to be restored to health. (Pause) Jesus, I surrender my life to You; take care of everything. Amen.
Although there is no distance in prayer, the charism of healing requires physical touch -- that is, “the laying on of hands.” Obviously, this cannot be done “long distance.” But, you do not need someone like me to receive God's healing touch. There is a more perfect way: the Sacraments of the Catholic Church.
Jesus Christ Is In The Eucharist! The doctrine of the Real Presence asserts that in the Holy Eucharist, Jesus is literally and wholly present -- body, blood, soul and divinity -- under the appearances of bread and wine.
“In the Eucharist is the same identical Jesus Who was carried by Mary for nine months in her womb before she delivered Him in Bethlehem. It is the selfsame Jesus Who died on the Cross, rose from the dead and ascended into heaven.” _ Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J.
“Do not, therefore, regard the bread and wine as simply that, for they are, according to the Master’s declaration, the body and blood of Christ. Even though the senses suggest to you the other, let faith make you firm. Do not judge in this matter by taste, but be fully assured by faith, not doubting that you have been deemed worthy of the body and blood of Christ.” _ Cyril of Jerusalem [Saint Cyril, Bishop of Jerusalem (348-378) “Doctor of the Church” (Catechetical Discourses)]
It is no surprise to me when I find myself "in the right place, at the right time." But it never ceases to amaze me when I see how much God reallyis "in control." I just keep marching; God directs my path -- and I discover many "divine appointments" along the way.
There are so many people in need of God's healing touch. And many of the healings I witness are actually deliverances! I pray for wounded people in hospitals, churches, private homes and public places... Whenever and wherever I feel prompted by the Holy Spirit, I approach people. And the first question I always ask is, "Are you a believer?"
A positive response to this question is all I need to proceed. (For) The Lord replied,"If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to [this] mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you." (Luke 17:6)
At Lystra there was a crippled man, lame from birth, who had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking, who looked intently at him, saw that he had the faith to be healed, and called out in a loud voice, "Stand up straight on your feet." He jumped up and began to walk about. (Acts 14:8-10)
San Francisco, CA (1990) _ I met a man sitting on a sidewalk. As I passed by, he said something derogatory to me. I stopped and listened. The man was a disabled Viet Nam veteran full of anger, bitterness, resentment, unforgiveness -- and despair. He was crippled, and blind in one eye.
I asked him if I could touch (and pray for) his blind eye. He gave his consent; I touched his blind eye; and, he immediately saw the brightness of the sun! Then Jesus spoke to him (in his mind) and promised to complete the restoration of his sight after he return home and be reconciled with his parents. And as we walked down the street together, he suddenly realized that he was no longer lame! Glory to God.
"Go your way; your faith has saved you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Him on the way. (Mark 10:52) [Of course, "faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead (James 2:17)." And, "all the dead were judged according to their deeds (Revelation 20:13)."]
Where there is no faith, there is no healing.
Although your faith will save you, there are blocks to receiving healing from God. I have been laying hands on people and praying for healing for a long time. (Deliverance is part of God's healing ministry.) Whenever I feel the anointing of the Holy Spirit, I am aware that God may want to use my hands to touch someone. Many are delivered and healed -- but not all.
Unforgiveness is the most common block that I encounter "among the faithful." Other common blocks are pride, anger, envy, bitterness and resentment... It is the Devil who wants you to hold on to anger, bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness... He knows these sins are blocks to receiving healing from God.
Forgiveness is not an option:"Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven."(Luke 6:37)... "If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions."(Matthew 6:14-15)
If you are unwilling to forgive others (as an act of the will) -- if you choose to hold on to anger, bitterness, resentment... and unforgiveness -- don't expect to receive healing from God!
Where there is no forgiveness, there is no healing.
You must forgive everyone (alive and dead) -- unconditionally! This is an act of the will -- not a feeling. Your feelings will change -- but you must forgive first. Your forgiveness will set you free, and God will heal the hurt, the pain, the trauma...
Unforgiveness has layers, like an onion -- and each layer must be peeled away. When you are able to recall the damage done (the pain, the trauma...), and it doesn't hurt anymore, you will know your forgiveness is complete.
When I lay hands on someone, I usually ask what is happening... I need to know if the person is receiving the grace! When nothing happens, I know there is a block. Then, I usually ask Jesus to show the person who he/she needs to forgive. And immediately, names and faces come to the forefront of the person's mind. When the names and faces stop coming -- and the person has forgiven everyone -- I lay hands again, and the person usually receives God's grace (God's healing touch).
When you receive Holy Communion, ask Jesus to help you to remove the blocks in your life that prevent you from receiving His grace and blessing... "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6)
If you want to enjoy God's favor, live a holy life!
Many Protestant deliverance ministers behave as though freedom from the demonic is the ultimate objective. One of these once told me, “I’ll have you know that I am ‘triple-mantled’ for deliverance.” I don’t even know what that means.
Deliverance is part of God’s healing ministry. And deliverance -- apart from inner healing -- is abuse. The ultimate objective should be “inner healing and wholeness.”
“Nature abhors a vacuum.” The same is true in the spiritual realm. Deliverance from evil spirits creates a “spiritual vacuum.” Therefore, the immediate need (for one who is already baptized) is for the “infilling of the Holy Spirit” and prayer for “inner healing.” Then, through Daily Eucharist and frequent Confession, one will continue to be healed and become more whole. Sanctifying Grace received in the Sacraments fills the “spiritual vacuum.”
~ * * * ~
Some time ago, I came to realize that many of the healings I witness are, in fact, deliverances. A woman once exclaimed, “When you prayed for me, I felt something lift!” It was an oppressing spirit that left her -- because of the anointing (that is, the charism of healing).
For some cases, all that is required is a touch and a prayer; other cases require some spiritual warfare. And all that is required of me are simple commands “in the Name of Jesus,” as inspired by the Holy Spirit. [I do not perform exorcisms. Only a priest may perform an exorcism -- and only with the permission of his Bishop.] It is this charism that causes demons to manifest, and ultimately leave.
The charism that heals also delivers!
San Francisco, CA (September 1990) _ I attended a Mario Murillo Crusade where I (a Catholic layman) was welcomed to pray for people in the ministry tent. One night I was led to three women. As I approached, one of them became silent and lowered her head. When I looked into her face, I saw her eyes “roll backward” into her skull. Only the white of her eyes could be seen.
The woman was possessed -- but the demons did not begin to manifest until I approached her. It was the presence of the anointing (the charism) that caused these demons to manifest.
This was my “introduction” to the deliverance side of God’s healing ministry. [God is in control, and I do my part.] I followed the inspirations of the Holy Spirit, and the woman was set free.
Days later, I was informed that this woman was one of two lesbians who had made a “suicide pact” with the Devil. That night, she had planned to jump off the Golden Gate Bridge -- but God intervened, and led her to the Crusade (below the bridge) where He had placed me.
Diocese of Arlington, VA (October 2010)
_ After a healing service in Northern Virginia, a psychotherapist asked me to pray with her patients. Then she took me to see one of her patients believed to be a “locutionist.” [A locution is a form of private revelation, similar to an apparition, but rather than being seen a locution is heard or received internally.]
The locutions were convincing -- but diabolical. The woman’s psychotherapist suspected demonic possession, and an exorcism had been approved and scheduled. I had been invited to participate in this exorcism, but the invitation was withdrawn because of liability concerns. Later, I was told the exorcism had been cancelled.
As we approached a large house in the suburbs, a woman yelled from the front door, “They know you’re coming!” The woman invited us into her home and proudly showed us her “shrine” -- a beautiful display of holy icons and statues… She was a nice lady, and it was obvious that she was a devout Catholic. But when she began to speak about Jesus, I heard the mocking voice of a demon!
I interrupted with the command, “In the Name of Jesus, evil spirit shut up!” And immediately, the woman became silent. I remember the surprised look on the doctor’s face.
I asked the woman to sit down, and we began to pray. I asked the doctor to pray the Rosary while I prayed for deliverance and inner-healing. [Once delivered, a man once said that he could feel the Power of the Rosary -- during the war for his soul!]
After two 3-hour sessions, the woman was free. And when the doctor asked me about the diabolical locutions, I told her to burn them.
~ * * * ~
Once delivered from evil spirits, there is no going back to the former (sinful) way of life. One is now called to “a life of holiness” -- a life centered on the Holy Eucharist. This is now very important -- because the evil spirits will return!
“When an unclean (evil) spirit goes out of someone, it roams through arid regions searching for rest but, finding none, it says, ‘I shall return to my home from which I came.’ But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there, and the last condition of that person is worse than the first.” (Luke 11:24-26)
[“When the assault of demons (evil spirits) is repulsed, the devil is not rendered incapable of further attack. But it seems that he cannot return immediately to the assault, but only after the lapse of a definite time.” _ St. Thomas Aquinas, The Summa Theologica]
When evil spirits return and find their (former) home Spirit-filled and Sacramentally fortified, they cannot “move in and dwell there.” All doors are closed; all permission (consent) is revoked.
