Pentecost

26th May

Today Catholics around the world celebrate Pentecost. The day when the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles and they went out preaching the good news.

Today's reading stuck with me and I would want to share it out

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law" (Gal 5: 22-23)

I wonder how many of those that I possess and not just possess, but act it out behaviorally. How many of those above you possess and act out?

This made me want to express another point. In the Bible, Jesus once mentioned a parable. A father has two sons. He went to the first and ask him to work in the vineyard and the son replied "No" but later thought better of it and went. The father went to the second son and ask the same thing. The second son said "Yes" but did not go. Jesus asked the people who did the father's will and the people answered the first.

Action speak louder than words. And this is true for Christians and Catholics alike. If we say we are followers of Jesus but do not bear fruits of the Spirit, we are merely giving lip service.

And I believe (personal opinion) that non-Christians (or Catholic for that matter) who bear the qualities above will have salvation even when they do not profess the faith. Of course you can argue that they might not care about salvation and eternal life, but that's beside the point. Point is, we will not be saved just by lip service. It will come through our act and ultimately God's grace.

That is why I would say that I want my kids to be taught the Catholic faith and start young. People know the value of good education for kids. The value of good religious education is as important too. It doesn't matter if they want to change their religion when they get older. That is their choice. But I would want to do my part as a good father and let them start somewhere. I am so glad that I am raised as a Catholic. It is one of my pillar of life.

People can argue that I am reducing my death anxiety by conjuring up this ultimate being known as God and the concept of eternal life. Granted, I think it is almost impossible for me to argue otherwise (it would also be almost impossible for them to argue that God does not exist). But if by having this faith, it teaches me how to live a better life, I don't see why not.

I hope my life will exemplify some if not all of the fruits of the Spirit!

God Bless~