"The disciples could not but be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit." -Acts 13:52
In the missals used by parishes over twenty years ago, the above verse is translated: "The disciples knew only how to be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit." What a great description this is for a disciple of Jesus Christ!
Disciples shake off the dust (Acts 13:51) of rejection, persecution, failure, prejudice, mistreatment, anger, bitterness, etc. They walk away from it and move on. This is part of the reason Jesus commanded His disciples to travel lightly. You can't travel very far if you're carrying a lot of spiritual baggage around.
After we disciples have completely shaken off all such dust, we never look back (see Lk 9:62). We refuse to resurrect old wounds, for love does not remember past injuries (1 Cor 13:5). We "give no thought to what lies behind but push on to what is ahead" (Phil 3:13). We "keep our eyes fixed on Jesus" (Heb 12:2).
If, in imitation of our heavenly Father, we've forgiven and forgotten so much (see Jer 31:34), what remains on our minds? All that's left is to be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:52). We have empty memories and full hearts. "Receive the Holy Spirit" (Jn 20:22). "Rejoice in the Lord always! I say it again. Rejoice!" (Phil 4:4)
Father, nothing can separate me from Your love except my own free will. Take my will and give me Your will in return.
"He will lead them to springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." -Rv 7:17
"Praise the Lord in His sanctuary, praise Him in the firmament of His strength" (Ps 150:1).
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