" COME LORD JESUS!"
On June 8, 2011, the Council Members of the Vatican-based International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services(ICCRS)stopped by at St. Peter's Basilica on our way to Assisi to have an audience with His Holiness, Pope Benedict XV1. The Holy Father's message to us, Council Members in particular and to the worldwide Renewal in general is "Have confidence in the power of the Holy Spirit and pray for peace throughout the world." I consider these "moments of grace" indeed to be able to converse with the Supreme Pontiff and to kiss the "Fisherman's ring" which symbolizes his being a Shepherd to God's flock. I told him that we are praying for him and for his ministry as a successor to Peter. He thanked me and he assured me that "he is praying for all of us also." "You are all in my prayers and in my heart," the Holy Father assured me. Moments before I went face to face with the Vicar of Christ here on earth, I said a short prayer to the Lord to make all my relatives and friends, and those in the Renewal whom I represent to the ICCRS and vice-versa, the English-speaking North America, Central America, and Caribbean countries to be present in the spirit with me during these "moments of grace."
It goes without saying that the Holy Father's message for us is both profound and God-inspired. To have total confidence in the Holy Spirit and in His power should be an aspiration of every Christian. In Acts 1:8, Jesus says, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and indeed throughout the ends of the earth." The Lord wants us to continuously use the power of the Holy Spirit not only to build us up spiritually but most importantly to build up His Church. After our audience with the Pope, we proceeded to Assisi to attend the International Catholic Charismatic Conference. The theme of the Conference was "Growing in the Charisms of the Holy Spirit." I perceived the Pope's message to us as a validation to the theme. I had the privilege to minister and to give talks on Healing, Word of Knowledge, Faith and Miracles during the International gathering of Catholic Charismatics which was sponsored by the Vatican-based International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services(ICCRS).
At least once a month, I go out of the country to minister to God's people anywhere in the world, and the rest of the time I minister here in North America. Time and time again, I keep witnessing healings and miracles in the mighty Name of our Divine Healer, Jesus Christ. Through the power of His Holy Spirit, we keep on witnessing the blind seeing, the deaf hearing, the lame walking, tumors and abnormal growths melting away, and above all, many have come to know that Jesus Christ is the Lord and Savior and that in Him there is healing and restoration, there is freedom, there is peace and joy, there is life eternal. Wherever I go, I see the hunger of people for the healing touch of the Master Healer, the Lord Jesus Christ.
In Hebrews 12: 1b-2, St. Paul says, "Let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before him he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God." In the light of these words from the book of Hebrews, it is wise for us to focus our eyes on the Healer, our Lord Jesus Christ, rather than on the healing. Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of all that God promises. When Jesus is present, healing comes.
Let us, therefore, firmly cling to Him and go after His own heart, just like what King David did. Let us be docile to the Holy Spirit who guides us to all truths. Let us surrender our life to Him and allow Him to do unto us as he wills. Together let us say, "Come, Lord Jesus, Come!"
God bless you all!
Bob Canton
Member, Vatican-based ICCRS Council
National Coordinator, AFCCPC
