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Going deeper with the Word: Fr. Otto Week of September 27th:

https://bit.ly/4yWRmX0

In praying over Philippians Chapter 2 verses 1-11, the verses that jumped out at Father were, be united in the same mind, the same love, the same heart thinking one thing. Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory. As Father prayed, the scripture verse 2-5 really became alive for him.

Ask God to give you the grace to wake up more tomorrow more united in our common purpose to love God and love the people in our lives. Ask God to give you greater joy in the amazing calling that we have to live in God’s love and to share in that love more and more. When Father Otto read the verse, do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory he felt like he was on a road with many speed bumps. The speed bumps were ways the Holy Spirit was revealing to him his selfishness. The Holy Spirit was calling this to Father’s mind because the Holy Spirit wants to change Father Otto and make him less self-centered and more like Jesus. Father Otto, prompted by the Holy Spirit, is inviting you to let the Holy Spirit work in the same way in your heart. Are there ways that you are controlling? Controlling is a modern way of saying I am self-centered and selfish. The Holy Spirit through St. Paul is inviting us to enter every situation looking to serve not to control. What changes are the Holy Spirit asking you to make in the regard? Read Philippians Chapter 2 verses 1-11:

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

See what pops, what comes alive in your heart what words what verses come alive in your heart? Invite the Holy Spirit to show you the changes he is calling you to ask for, the changes he wants to make in you. 

Do you feel called to go deeper? There is a wonderful book called Praying scripture for a change by Dr. Timothy Gray.