Doctors recommend regular physical exercise to keep our bodies in shape (see e.g. 1 Tm 4:7-8). Physical therapists recommend specific exercises to enable an injured body part to work normally. Musicians practice exercises on their instruments to develop "muscle-memory." Thereby musicians hone their physical talents to the point of being automatic, making them free to enter into the spirit of the composition.
In an even greater way, Doctor Jesus commands us to exercise the gifts of the Spirit He has given us (see Rm 12:6, RNAB). By exercising our spiritual gifts, the body of Christ becomes more vigorous. When exercised properly, many spiritual gifts help to heal the wounded parts of Christ's body (1 Cor 12:9). By exercising our spiritual gifts regularly, we become so "in tune" with the Spirit that we develop "Spirit-memory." We are more quickly able to recognize the movements of the Holy Spirit, even to the point that we become "co-workers" with the Spirit (1 Cor 3:9).
The risen Jesus has given us the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:8, 10). Now we have a choice. Will we exercise these gifts or make excuses for not using them? (Lk 14:18ff)
| PRAYER: | Holy Spirit, "I will not treat God's gracious gift as pointless" (Gal 2:21). Fill me up and use me up. |
| PROMISE: | "Do not grow slack but be fervent in Spirit; He Whom you serve is the Lord." –Rm 12:11 |
| PRAISE: | Sister Roberta spends hours each week praying for sinners to return to the Lord in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College