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Monday 13 August 2012

On thought on yesterday's second reading

In this first line of the reading at the NO yesterday, from Ephesians 4:30, St. Paul writes, "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God who has marked you with his seal for you to be set free when the day comes." In Great Britain, sadly, the Jerusalem Bible translation is still being used as the approved version. This is not good, as this translation is not as accurate as the RSV, for example.

However, until we get excellent bishops, this will not change.

Going back to the topic, St. Paul shows us that he is addressing those Christians who are confirmed. This point must be seen as significant. The confirmed are the more mature Christians who have repented, become members of the Church and received the other Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism and Holy Eucharist. Look at how specific St. Paul is about who he addresses.

Those Catholics with the seal of the Holy Spirit, which comes with Confirmation, are asked by Paul not to grieve the Spirit. This means that we all must cooperate with grace.

Grieving the Spirit involves ignoring the life of the virtues and choosing the easy, but deadly way to sin and corruption.

The second part of the verse notes that those who are sealed in the sacrament will be set free "when the day comes". This is an eschatological reference to the Coming of Christ, when He separates the goats from the sheep, to use the Biblical phrase.

Be prepared, pray, reflect, act.