While in the city of Ephesus, Apollos unpacked the Old Testament Scriptures that referred to Jesus and established that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah (Acts 18:28). In so doing, Apollos imitated Jesus, Who while walking on the road to Emmaus, unpacked the Old Testament Scriptures "beginning with Moses and all the prophets" and "interpreted for them every passage of Scripture which referred to Him" (Lk 24:27).
As we progress through the Pentecost Novena, we increase our thirst to receive the Holy Spirit. A great way to open ourselves up to the Holy Spirit is to review the Scriptures which reveal Jesus' identity. The Church has been doing this throughout the daily and Sunday Eucharistic readings during the seasons of Lent and Easter. To help us receive the Holy Spirit more deeply this Pentecost, take some time today and next week to look back over the key Scriptures of Lent and Easter. Focus especially on the readings of Holy Week, which summarize the Scriptures that prove that Jesus is the Messiah. May the Word of God open your heart to receive the Holy Spirit in a new and life-changing way (see Lk 24:32) this Pentecost.
| PRAYER: | Father, stir into flame the Holy Spirit in my life today and next week (2 Tm 1:6). |
| PROMISE: | "The Father already loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came from God." –Jn 16:27 |
| PRAISE: | After meeting at midday Mass, Sarah and Mary continued to nurture their faith by sharing it with one another over lunch. |
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