The Holy Spirit

 

The peaceful dove can be seen in the sky, April 2010 

 Acts 1:1-11 Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven 

1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.” 6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

According to Matthew 5:22, 29-30 and Luke 12:4-5, the suffering in our earthly bodies is small compared to the "fire of hell".  Therefore God's feelings of mercy (compassion) may at times move Him even to use earthly pain to try to keep us from far greater eternal pain.  For this reason God had come to help me.  God does not have to make up special pain just for us.  In this world, which has left God, pain is already with us!  But God can sometimes use that pain to help us.  God sends "Judgments" even before the final judgment.  

The Lord disciplines those He loves... Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness (Hebrews 12:6,10)

Receive the sacrament of confirmation on 3 November 1985

I wondered how I am going to learn from Jesus when I cannot even see him or question him, or hear him speak.  But I heard him, and through him, I encountered God too.  Thanks to the Holy Spirit.  

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Isaac's Baptism

 

The priest baptizes by pouring water on the forehead of the baby to be baptized and saying the words, "I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."  

Baptism is the first Sacrament out of the seven.  It is the customs of Catholic to baptize their children after birth (Baby Baptism).  I did not immediately baptize Isaac after birth.  This is because after childbirth, the wounds still hurt and we need to attend one or two session of baptism class or briefings.  So it was like I can procrastinate in baptizing Isaac.  

So the thought of when to baptize Isaac was on my mind.  Then one night, when Richard was not at home, I was alone in the room with Isaac.  I was carrying Isaac in my lap.  Suddenly there was like got something that was 'disturbing' Isaac.  Isaac cried and my computer became blue screen as well.  From that moment, I was so scared and I quickly arranged for him to be baptized.  

Baptism means 'plunging'.  Jesus was baptised in the Jordan by John.  The sign of the Spirit was seen.  And the Father's voice was heard: "This is my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on him."  (Matthew 3:17)

Jesus called his death and resurrection a 'baptism'.  To his apostles he said, "Are you willing to be baptised with the baptism with which I must be baptised?"  In this baptism Jesus was 'plunged' into death but the Father raised him up by giving him the Holy Spirit.  

Baptism is also the sign instituted by Christ to unite us with his own baptism.  What happened at Christ's baptism is what happens at ours: so that St Paul could write, "When we were baptised in Christ Jesus, we were baptised in his death; in other words, when we were baptised we went into the tomb with him and joined him in death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the Father's glory, we too might live a new life."  (Romans 6:3,4)

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