Malachi, Chapter 3, verse 16
16 Then those who fear the LORD spoke with one
another, and the LORD listened attentively; a record book was written before
him of those who fear the LORD and esteem his name.
The
people during the time of the prophet Malachi were perplexed. Why is it that
evildoers prosper and even mock God and escape? The prophet is reassuring those
who loved the Lord that nothing escapes God and if we have Holy fear and love the Lord we will be taken
care of.
Many of the behaviors of evil people lead directly to success; the
biggest liar and manipulator on the sales team will usually be the top
salesperson, for example. The evil person develops skill in seeing how to get
the optimal outcome in every situation, and is willing to take whatever the
actions are to get that most desirable outcome… which is why they so often get
there. These people are NOT being blessed, they are reaping the “rewards” of
their evil in the same way that a child cheating on a test gets a higher score…
this is NOT the work of God, as He NEVER rewards evil.[1]
No we should not envy evil doers for whatever they gain it is never enough.
Nor do they find peace in their hearts for their needs are never satisfied nor
their thirst for more ever quenched.
According to the author Michael H.
Brown[2]
we are in the midst of a war between the forces of good and evil and right now
it may seem that they are winning the battle, but they have already lost the
war-the war for our souls; which Christ purchase with his death on the
cross. Hallelujah!
Novena to the Holy Spirit[3]
The Gift of Wisdom
Prayer
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE.
Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
ACT OF CONSECRATION TO
THE HOLY SPIRIT
On my knees before the great
multitude of heavenly witnesses, I offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal
Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Your purity, the unerring keenness of
Your justice, and the might of Your love. You are the Strength and Light of my
soul. In You I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve You by
unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the
smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I
may always watch for Your light, and listen to Your voice, and follow Your
gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You, by
Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of
Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds, and trusting in His Precious Blood and
adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore You, Adorable Spirit,
Helper of my infirmity, to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against
You. Give me grace, O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to
You always and everywhere, "Speak Lord for Your servant heareth."
Amen.
PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
O
Lord Jesus Christ, Who, before ascending into heaven, did promise to send the
Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples,
deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul, the
work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may
despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things
that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the
light of Your divine truth, the Spirit of Counsel that I may ever choose the
surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that I
may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome with courage all the
obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God
and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints, the Spirit of
Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving
reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear
Lord, with the sign of Your true disciples and animate me in all things with
Your Spirit. Amen.
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