The heaviest burden of man is not things and circumstances, it is himself. Man, himself, is a burden, because he does not want to be who he is before God and others.

"I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate [Counselor, Helper, Comforter, Intercessor, Paraclete] that He may abide with you forever" (John 14:16). 

The Advocate or Comforter is "another" - one like Jesus - but one Who abides forever, rather than temporarily as in the Old Testament. The Holy Spirit advocates and comforts in three primary ways: 1) poverty, 2) presence, and 3) pleasure.

When we have been comforted in our poverty with His presence, He becomes our pleasure. Then, and only then, we are able to also bear the burden of others' poverty with our presence, which becomes our pleasure. Ruth Burrows was quoted as saying, "It is a sacrifice to let others be who they are." When I have been fully and clearly received by God in my weakness, and He stays present to me, I am able to pass on that pleasure to others: the mercy sandwich. 

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LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.  

L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.)

 

O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)

The story of Jacob wrestling with the Angel of God is in Genesis 32:22-32. You can read a reflection on it here. When you are confronted with and wrestling with your own weakness, do you confess it to God and to others readily? What if that's the necessary element to receiving His blessing in your weakness? 

V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)

Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.

E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth. Amen. +

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What We Discussed | Show Notes

Overview:

Minutes 00:00-12:00 –  servant versus Son; the promise of the HS as a new Genesis, a new creation; existence versus love

Minutes 12:01-24:00 – the HS comforts us in our weakness (poverty) and teaches us to love it

Minutes 24:01-36:00 – humility and false humility; Jacob wrestles with the Angel, confesses his weakness, and receives a blessing (new name/identity)

Minutes 36:01-48:00 – a new presence of Jesus, not a substitute; "you're my pleasure"

Transcript

Click here for a transcript of the show.