We are all connected…

Rev Jean Gilberte, Deacon

Jesus said to his disciples, “If you love me and obey the command I give you… “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

When Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta was still alive, she took care of the poorest of the poor. Someone once asked her how they could prepare to do the work that she did. Mother Teresa said to first start with your immediate family, and when that is well, you can go to your next door neighbor if help is needed. Once all is well, you help someone in your town and when that is well you can expand and go further. She always thanked God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit for giving her the strength every day to bring peace to the people in Calcutta.

Jesus said, “I will ask the One who sent me to give you another Paraclete to be with you always.” Paraclete means “advocate.” Jesus said, “another advocate” would be sent to us. This would indicate that Jesus is an advocate for us. He did not just give us the Holy Spirit as an advocate or helper but himself also. Of course, God is always with us.

Think about all the help we have every day of our lives. So often I hear people say they have no one, that they are all alone. Jesus wants you and everyone to know that we are NEVER alone. The Holy Spirit is always with us to help guide us on our journey in this life. Remember, Jesus said, “I will not leave you orphaned.” When times are hard; when we might feel so much pain or so much sadness, remember to ask for guidance to give you strength for they will be there supporting you.

There had been a lot of traumatic events that happened to me as a child, as a young teenager, and as a married women of 37 years. This week someone asked how was I able to survive all that happened? I answered this person that from the time I can remember, around three years old, I knew God and our Blessed Lady (Jesus’ mom, Mary.) As little as I was, I always prayed (I would now call it talking) to them to help me through what was happening as I lived in fear.

I would not be here today if I had not believed in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit when I was married. Life was difficult but I always received strength to overcome the trauma when I asked. The help I received was strength to keep going, to keep my spirit up for my three children. I knew I was loved because I could feel it in my heart and in my soul. God was present; Jesus was present; the Holy Spirit was present; and so was Mary always present to help me.

Jesus said that he will love us and reveal himself to us. Faith can be a difficult concept. Jesus is with every single one of you. Some of you might want to say that because you don’t feel him or the Holy Spirit, that they are not around. Just know that is not so.

I am now a retired Massage Therapist but I still see, to this day, people who are sick emotionally or physically and I practice Reiki (energy healing.) My business is in my home and I have a room that is set apart from the rest of the house and it has such a peaceful feel to the space. I have had quite a few clients who came and as they relaxed they would look at me in utter surprise and say that Jesus was in the room with us. I would just say that He is always in the room while I work.

They would keep on saying, “NO, NO, I really see Him.” All I could do at the time was just smile. I use to say, “I wish I could see Jesus like some others do.” But today, I am happy just knowing that He really is with me as He is with you. Some say that Jesus would not want to be around them because of the terrible things they did in the past. I know that the Holy Spirit and Jesus is always around us to give us the strength to forgive ourselves. God loves us and does not judge; we tend to judge ourselves not God. That is why we are given the Holy Spirit to give us the strength so we can live with a peaceful heart.

When we have peace in our hearts, it makes it so much easier to know that Jesus is around because Jesus is peace. That peace will follow you and people will feel it around you helping them to also feel the peace. Wouldn’t it be awesome to have that peace vibrate from you and spread throughout the world.

We are to remember what Jesus said, “I am in God, and you in me and I in you.” He is telling us that we are all one. We are all connected. God loves you, I love you all and peace be with all of you.

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