JANUARY 2015 CALLED TO BE SALT AND LIGHT I n Mathew’s gospel (Ch. 5) Jesus teaches us in the Sermon on the Mount who is blessed in the Kingdom of God. He then tells us about the responsibility of those who are blessed: One of the more serious problems in the world today is religious communalism, that is, people’s preoccupation with the interests of their own religious or ethnic groups. Shining a light to others means bearing fruit in our life, bringing life and light to others. It is about our deeds in society. You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has lost its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything While this call to be salt and light can be but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light intimidating and easy enough to set aside, we must of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden nor do they remember that God does the light a lamp and then put it under a heavy work; we are to show up bushel basket; it is set on a and seek his will in our daily lives. The Christian is to be the salt lampstand where it gives light to all We must also remember that in the house. Just so, your light must of society, flavoring the alone the work of the Christian is shine before others, that they may see overwhelming, but throw all of your good deeds and glorify your quality of life for everyone by our good deeds and actions heavenly Father (Mt. 5:13-16). upholding good values, together in a salt shaker or a beam When Jesus called his of light, and a cascade begins to working for reconciliation and disciples to be the salt of the flow over the earth. earth, He was showing them peace, and praying for the Together we make a difference how valuable they were. Salt nation so it thrives. was highly valued in the ancient According to a reflection world and was even considered written by prolife speaker and divine by the Greeks. Salt performs two important author, Dr. James I. Lamb, for centuries physicists functions yet today: it is the most common of all debated the nature of light. Two theories surfaced. preservatives; it keeps things from spoiling, and it gives The “corpuscular theory” maintained that light taste and flavor to food. Food without salt is bland. consisted of particles emitted from a light source. This The Christian is to be the salt of society, flavoring the quality of life for everyone by upholding good values, working for reconciliation and peace, bringing hope where there is none, spreading joy, and praying for the nation so it thrives. We are to preserve cultural values and moral principles and flavor common life with harmony, joy, friendship and love. We are also called to be the light of the world. That means we are called to be a light for those outside of our comfortable Catholic and Christian communities. explained some properties of light, but not all. The “wave theory” stated that light emitted from its source as waves. Again, this explained some properties of light but not all. So, the debate continued. Did light consist of particles or waves? In the early 20th century, Albert Einstein answered the question – “Yes!” He showed that light consists of “particles,” little bundles of energy called “photons.” However, when all these photons zip along together, they behave as a wave. P AGE 2 C ATHOLIC C HARISMATIC R ENEWAL O FFICE Sometimes Christians can feel like a photon, a little stop with passive restraint. We “photons” are called to particle of light, and we wonder if we can possibly action, to “expose” the works of darkness. make a difference in the world of darkness and death. Pope Francis said “The Charismatic Renewal is a The Bible, however, never talks great force meant to serve the about a “child of light” only preaching of the Gospel in the “children of light.” When Jesus We are Christian “photons” joy of the Holy Spirit.” said in Mathew 5:14, “You are the that form a wave of light that Please plan to attend our light of the world,” “You” is Winter Teaching Conference plural. When you and I shine in can an does make a difference and get concrete practical the darkness, others shine with us. in the darkness. teaching and inspiration on We are Christian “photons” that how to be that salt and light. form a wave of light that can and does make a difference in the darkness. We are called (Note: Part of this article was paraphrased from an article by to be more than “glow in the dark” children of light. T.V. Philip posted on Religion-Online.org) We are to “walk as children of light” and take no part in the “unfruitful works of darkness.” But it does not By Deacon Dennis Chlebeck, Archdiocesan Liaison to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal IGNITE THE FIRE! F ire! The Lord is calling each of us to examine our Identity as Catholic Charismatics. Who are we? We should start with Jeremiah 20:7-9: You duped me, O Lord, and I let myself be duped…I say to myself, I will not mention him, I will speak in his name no more. But then it becomes like a fire burning in my heart…I cannot endure it.” The desire to proclaim the word of the Lord should be a fire that cannot be contained. Our encounter with God ought to lead to zeal as the Almighty pursues us. He is a “consuming fire” which burns up every shred of who we are, so that only He remains. This is exactly what happened with many of the saints; they were consumed by God and became mystics. Their passion for the Lord was unmistakable! Can we say that about ourselves? Can you say that you are a mystic? Dr. Mark Nimo, a lay missionary from Chicago, who was trained at the International Catholic Program of Evangelization (I.C.P.E.) and has ministered in 33 countries including, as a missionary, in Uganda, encouraged us at The National Leaders Conference in Pittsburgh to be who we are called to be. Here is a brief look at what he had to say: Consider the Charisms of the Holy Spirit and know that you are called to live out your vocation as someone “on fire” for God. You are called to be a mystic, to have encounters with Him who is Fire, and to totally surrender yourself in obedience to His will. This is no small thing but, in fact, is what you are called to do. Catholic Charismatics ought to exemplify what it means to follow Jesus. You are called to be “Fire.” You are called to be a “Mystic.” You are called to be a “Prophet.” This is so that others around you recognize the Lord in their midst. Catholic Charismatics and especially prayer group leaders should ask themselves: Do I pray everyday? Do I meditate daily on the Holy Scriptures? Do I attend Mass as often as possible? Do I exercise the gifts of the Holy Spirit every day? If not, why not?! We all know what happens when we don’t exercise our spiritual gifts. Our prayer meetings need to be on fire and the gifts ought to be flourishing, even if we are tiny, especially the gifts of tongues and prophecy. We must also promote the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Of course it starts with each one of us responding to the Holy Spirit on a daily basis. We really need to expect the Lord to move powerfully in every moment of our lives. Let us beg God to ignite in us His burning desire for the salvation of souls. Praise Be Jesus Christ! THE CATHOLIC CHARISMATIC RENEWAL OFFICE WINTER TEACHING CONFERENCE Cascade of Salt & Light (MT 5:13-16) The Holy Spirit enables us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, a great responsibility for disciples of Jesus Christ, who said:“Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Heavenly Father.” Keynote Speaker: Bishop Lee Piché Saturday, January 31, 2015 Epiphany Catholic Church 1900 111th Avenue NW Coon Rapids, MN 55433 8:30 A.M. – 5:15 P.M. Praise & Worship Variety of Breakout Sessions, including:  Baptism in the Holy Spirit – Deacon Mike Cullen  How does Healing Happen – Fr. James Livingston  Discerning the Charisms in Your Life – Fr. Greg Paffel  Word Gifts: Prophecy, Knowledge and Wisdom – Pete Fastner  Sharing Jesus with Others – Ross Feder  Restoring the Church’s Memory (of Pentecost) – Dcn. Mike Thoennes and Mary Hagar  Plus, starting a prayer group, building community, intercessory prayer, speaking in tongues, and more! $30.00 (includes lunch on site) Please pre-register online at www.ccro-msp.org or by phone: 763-571-5314 (full and partial scholarships available) Checks can be mailed to CCRO, 4714 Central Ave. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55421 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 2967 HAPPENINGS January 2 (Friday) FIRST FRIDAY WITH THE FRANCISCANS, 7PM. 1289 LaFond Ave., St. Paul, MN. Adoration, Franciscan Crown Rosary, Compline and Benediction. Fellowship follows. January 2 (Friday) COR JESU, Praise & Worship Night at the St. Paul Seminary (St. Mary’s Chapel) 810pm, 2260 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN. Information and directions: 651-962-5050. January 6 (Tuesday) HEALING MASS at Church of St. Peter, 2600 N. Margaret St., No. St. Paul. Celebrant Fr. Jim Livingston. Rosary 7pm, Mass 7:30pm. Call Peter 651-353-4311. January 10 (Saturday) LIFELINE, NET Center, 110 Crusader Ave., West St. Paul. 6-9:30pm, band, speaker, Mass, featuring Fr. Brian Park. Breakout sessions for girls and boys. Call 651-450-4311. January 20 (Tuesday) HEALING MASS at St. Patrick’s Church, 1500 Vine Street, Hudson, WI. 6pm. Call 715-381-5120. Companions in the Heart of Jesus Mini-Retreat for Women Saturday, January 10, 2015 Church of St. Paul 1740 Bunker Lake Blvd. NE, Ham Lake 8am Mass (optional) 8:30-11:30: refreshments, praise & worship, speaker, Kay Mori, Surrendering through Journaling No registration or fee required. Childcare provided but must be reserved. HEALING PRAYER SERIES WITH FR. DAVID SMITH 7-9pm University of St. Thomas, Owens Science Hall, Room 150 (the 3M Auditorium). January 16 and 23 April 17 and 24 February 20 and 27 May 15 March 20 and 27 Call 651-962-8929 for more information.