Resurrection to Mission: Living the Ancient FaithSample

Day 11: Stirring Up Love Together

Let’s pause today and reflect together. I invite you to discuss with others that you are doing the devotional with or meditate on these questions:

• What does being “sent” mean in your daily life?
• How can you rekindle the Pentecost fire during this Apostles’ Fast?
• Where have you seen the Holy Spirit already working around you?

Let’s encourage one another to live boldly, support each other in mission, and stay attentive to the Spirit’s work.

The concept of being "sent" extends beyond mere physical movement; it implies a purposeful direction and a divine commission influencing our daily interactions, decisions, and priorities. Consider the ways in which you are called to act, speak, and serve within your family, workplace, and community. Does your sense of purpose align with a feeling of being entrusted with a particular role or responsibility? How does this understanding shape your engagement with the world around you?

Rekindling the Pentecost fire during the Apostles' Fast is an invitation to actively cultivate the gifts of the Holy Spirit within us. This involves intentional prayer, acts of service, deeper study of scripture, and a conscious effort to embody the fruits of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV). What specific practices can you adopt during this season to open yourself more fully to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit? How can you move beyond routine and reignite a passionate commitment to your faith?

The Holy Spirit's presence is often subtle, manifested in acts of compassion, moments of clarity, unexpected connections, and the quiet growth of faith within ourselves and others. Take time to identify instances where you have seen evidence of grace, healing, reconciliation, or inspiration. Recognizing these moments can strengthen our awareness of God's ongoing activity in the world and deepen our trust in His guidance.

As the Apostle St. Paul reminds us, our individual spiritual journeys are interconnected. We are called to actively encourage one another, to "stir up love and good works." (Hebrews 10:24 NKJV) This involves offering support, accountability, and inspiration to those around us.

St. Macarius the Great emphasizes that a soul filled with the Holy Spirit is characterized by a burning love that inevitably leads to action. He says, “The soul filled with the Holy Spirit burns with love and cannot remain idle.” (Homilies, Homily 16, §2). This inner fire compels us to move beyond passivity and engage in meaningful ways with the needs of others. Let us commit to fostering a community where bold living, mutual support in mission, and attentiveness to the Spirit's work are central to our shared experience.

Reflection: Who can you encourage or pray for today? How can you help stir up love and good works in your community?

Today’s Challenge: Encourage someone in your faith community today—send a message, make a call, or pray with them. Look for a way to “stir up love and good works.”

Prayer: Lord, unite us by Your Spirit. Set my heart on fire with Your love. Help me to encourage and serve others, let our community be alive with Your presence and good works and walk together in Your mission. Amen.

The mission is not a solo journey but a communal calling. Let’s walk, pray, and serve together, trusting the Spirit to guide and empower us.