One Minute Reflection – 29 May – Pentecost Monday – Acts 10:34, 42-48, John 3:16-21 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“But he who does the truth comes to the light that his deeds may be made manifest, for they have been performed in God.” – John 3:21
REFLECTION – “Being Baptised, we are illuminated; illuminated, we become children; being made children, we are made perfect; being made perfect, we are made immortal. God says: “I have said you are gods and all children of the Most High” (Ps 81:6).
This work of Baptism is variously called grace, illumination, perfection and washing. Washing, by which we cleanse away our sins; grace, by which the punishment owing to our sins is remitted; illumination, by which the holy light of salvation is beheld, so that we see clearly the divine things; perfection, because nothing is lacking. For what is yet lacking to one who knows God? Or how could we call “God’s grace” something that is not perfect? Being perfect Himself, God only bestows perfect gifts…
Therefore, we have hardly been regenerated than, as the name suggests, we have been “illuminated” set free from darkness and, in the same instant, filled with light… We are relieved of the sins which concealed the divine Spirit like a cloud and, behold, the eye of the Spirit is set free, uncovered and full of light – that eye which alone enables us to contemplate divine things.” – St Clement of Alexandria (c150- c215) Theologian and Philosopher, Professor who taught at the Catechetical School of Alexandria. (The Instructor [Paedagogus] 1:6).
PRAYER – O God, Thou Who gave the Holy Spirit to Thy Apostles, grant that the devout prayers of Your people may be effective and, as Thou hast given us faith, also grant us peace. Through Jesus Christ Thy Son, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
AnaStpaul 