At Pentecost, the Lord lavished the Holy Spirit on the early Church (Ti 3:6). The Spirit was poured out in superabundance as rivers of living water (Jn 7:38), "for many wonders and signs were performed by the apostles" (Acts 2:43). A man over forty years old, who had never walked a step in his life, was miraculously cured (Acts 4:22). Peter healed hundreds as he walked down the street. He did not pray or touch the sick; just his shadow falling on them brought healing (Acts 5:15). Angels began to appear and even opened the gates of the jail where the apostles were imprisoned (Acts 5:19). As the Lord promised, in the early Church the Spirit was certainly not rationed (Jn 3:34) but was poured out more than we could ever ask for or imagine (Eph 3:20).
Why do things seem different today, at least in America? Why does the Spirit seem rationed, stifled (1 Thes 5:19), and saddened? (Eph 4:30) The Spirit is "given to those that obey Him" (Acts 5:32). Because of our lack of faith, we refuse to obey the Lord. We yield to the desires of the flesh, which directly opposes and lusts against the Spirit (Gal 5:17). Thus the Spirit is stifled by our lack of receptivity. Repent and receive the unrationed gift of the Holy Spirit.
| PRAYER: | Father, "renew Thy wonders in this our day, as by a new Pentecost" (prayer of Pope John XXIII for Vatican II). |
| PROMISE: | "Whoever believes in the Son has life eternal. Whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but must endure the wrath of God." –Jn 3:36 |
| PRAISE: | Thomas left his home state to work for the Lord through Presentation Ministries. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College