teaching abstinences
"The Paraclete, the Holy Spirit Whom the Father will send in My name, will instruct you in everything, and remind you of all that I told you." —John 14:26
The Holy Spirit will teach us everything (Jn 14:26). To receive true, profound, practical teaching on all that we need to know, we must be teachable, that is, docile. It's easy to be teachable to the Spirit on some things, but it takes a miracle to be teachable in many areas that the Spirit teaches. For example, the Holy Spirit taught the Gentile Christians of the early Church about burdens "strictly necessary" for harmony with the Jewish Christians (Acts 15:28). All of these burdens were about abstaining from certain practices (Acts 15:29).
Are you teachable enough to let the Spirit teach you about strictly necessary burdens of abstinence? Would you let the Spirit teach you about abstaining from drinking alcohol, coffee, or soda; abstaining from buying certain things; abstaining from eating sugar, salt, or meat; or abstaining from TV and other forms of entertainment? Many of us want the Holy Spirit to be completely "spiritual" and not to teach us about abstaining in ways which would impact the practical details of our lifestyles.
Come Holy Spirit, the Teacher of abstinences and the Transformer of lifestyles!
Prayer: Father, instruct "the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit."
Promise: "The city had no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb." —Rv 21:23
Praise: Praise the risen Jesus, baptizing us in the Holy Spirit! (Mk 1:8)
Reference: (For a related teaching, order Fr. Lauer's tape on Don't Stifle the Spirit on audio AV 56-3 or video V-56.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, December 9, 2000
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 12, 2000