In today's Gospel, we are told: "He does not ration His gift of the Spirit." Many older readers might remember the shortages of material goods during the gasoline rationing in the early 1970s or the massive rationing during World War II. If you have lived during a time of rationing, you have learned how to adapt (Phil 4:11-12).
Jesus reveals in today's Gospel passage that God does not ration His gift of the Holy Spirit (Jn 3:34). Perhaps many of us have become accustomed to living without the Holy Spirit, or with just a minimum influence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Yet that is not God's plan. He lavishes the Holy Spirit upon His people (Ti 3:6). The seeming "rationing" or shortage of the Holy Spirit is because of humanity's disobedience, not because of God's stinginess (see e.g. 2 Cor 6:12-13). St. Peter and the apostles reveal that God gives the Holy Spirit to those who obey Him (Acts 5:32).
As we approach the great feast of Pentecost in five weeks, "test yourselves to see whether you are living in faith; examine yourselves" (2 Cor 13:5). Is the Holy Spirit stifled in your life because of disobedience? (1 Thes 5:19; Eph 4:30) Have you asked for the Holy Spirit? Like a loving parent, God wants to give you the Holy Spirit far more than you want to receive Him (Lk 11:13). Ask for the Holy Spirit and you will receive (Mt 7:7).
| PRAYER: | Father, may I want to receive the Holy Spirit more than I want to draw my next breath. Come, Holy Spirit! |
| PROMISE: | "Taste and see how good the Lord is; happy the man who takes refuge in Him." –Ps 34:9 |
| PRAISE: | St. Peter Chanel was ordained in France but desired to work in the missions. He got his wish and helped spread the Gospel to Oceania. When the son of a Polynesian chieftain requested Baptism, Peter's martyrdom soon followed. |
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