Placing our trust in God

	Word to Life  By Jean Denton

A year ago, five other women and I formed a group to be spiritual companions to each other. We gather periodically to read Scripture, pray, and "listen to God."

As we gradually have become secure enough in our friendship to reveal deeply held issues and experiences, we have found ourselves taking on each other's concerns as our own. Now we are a small community of faith, sharing our lives, in love, through the life of Christ.

April 27, 2008 Sixth Sunday of Easter Acts 8:5-8, 14-17 Psalm 66:1-7, 16, 20 1 Peter 3:15-18 John 14:15-21

As companions we've grown to be able to help one another discern God's will in each of our own circumstances. At any given gathering it is common for one person to tell another, "Something you said to me last time came back to me," helping that person resolve a particular problem or understand a situation more clearly.

Recently, for instance, we read a Scripture passage about placing trust in God instead of human capability. Someone lamented a long-running frustration in her life that seemed it would never be resolved.

"I know I should trust God," she said, "but really, I just can't believe it will work out."

One of the other women nodded in understanding, but said gently, "It will. It will." She spoke in such total confidence of the risen Lord's goodness that her friend was able to regain her trust.

The Holy Spirit acted through our communal love and faith.

	For reflection: • What is an example of how your love of Jesus opened you to the grace of the Holy Spirit? • How has the Spirit helped you to remain in Jesus and the Father?

In this weekend's Gospel reading, Jesus tells his disciples, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." When that happens, he adds, the Father will send the Holy Spirit to dwell within and among them and constantly reveal himself to them.

Love and commitment to Jesus - and in him to each other - promises his life to us "always."

This column is offered in cooperation with the North Texas Catholic of Fort Worth, Texas.

Prayer to St. Raphael Glorious Archangel St. Raphael, great prince of the heavenly court, you are illustrious for your gifts of wisdom and grace. You are a guide of those who journey by land or sea or air, consoler of the afflicted, and refuge of sinners. We beg you, assist us in all our needs and in all the sufferings of this life, as once you helped the young Tobias on his travels. Because you are the "medicine of God" we humbly pray you to heal the many infirmities of our souls and the ills that afflict our bodies. We especially ask your guidance of our diocese as we journey toward the rebuilding of a cathedral bearing your name, and the great grace of purity to prepare us to be temples of the Holy Spirit. As our intercessor, beg the Blessed Trinity to prosper the work of our hands and, above all, to bring us, face-to-face, into their Holy presence. Amen.