08/05/2026

Friday Easter Week 5

When Jesus sent his disciples on their first missions their message was "The kingdom of God is at hand". They returned to Jesus amazed at their own success but we have no more details about the outcomes other than they cured the sick and drove out evil spirits. 

The first generation of Christians, however, created the New Testament. The Gospels, the Letters and one Apocalypse are the outcomes of their personal experiences and responses to the Resurrection. The Risen Lord had spoken to some of them but most of the first believers were in the same category of holiness as are we "blessed are those who have not seen and yet still believe". 

Judas Barsabbas and Silas carried a letter to vouch for their identity but the authority that guaranteed their sincerity was The Holy Spirit which seems to have been recognisable not only by our forefathers in faith but also by contemporary charlatans who sought to purchase and profit from it.

Simon Magus witnessed the outcome that resulted when the Apostles "laid hands" on those newly baptised only in the name of Jesus and tried to buy the ability to access that Great Mystery for himself. Jesus had previously told the first missionary disciples to take back their "peace" if it did not rest on those to whom it was directed.

I have no problem in learning that God is Threeinone FATHERSONHOLYSPIRIT and am totally relaxed in my belief that is built on the Apostles Creed. I do know that the "charismatics" experience something in their worship that frightens me for its outcomes are too similar to those which can be witnessed wherever groups of people commit to the mass hysteria produced by shared enthusiasm.

Dear Lord, help me to become able to know what is  the "discernment of spirits" and recognise when it is the Holy Spirit that fills my heart with the fire of your Love for you know how easily for me it is to be led into temptation by my own thoughts, imagination and sentimental emotion. Amen