When you received the Holy Spirit, the devil immediately tried to extinguish the flame (1 Thes 5:19). At the same time, the Lord stirred the Holy Spirit into an even greater flame in your life (2 Tm 1:6). Yield to the Spirit. Put on the lampstand of your life the gifts and fruit of the Spirit (Lk 8:16). The Lord will continue to light your fire.
With Mary, go into the hill country (Lk 1:39) and give as a gift what has been given to you (Mt 10:8). The Spirit's flame will grow in you while the Zechariahs and Elizabeths in your life are filled with the Spirit and prophesy and the babies leap for joy (Lk 1:41). Your being will proclaim the greatness of the Lord and find joy in God your Savior (Lk 1:46-47).
Let Mother Mary help you trust that the Lord's words to you will be fulfilled (Lk 1:45). "Give, and it shall be given to you. Good measure pressed down, shaken together, running over, will they pour into the fold of your garment. For the measure you measure with will be measured back to you" (Lk 6:38). It is in giving the Spirit that we receive.
| PRAYER: | Father, give the Holy Spirit to me and through me. Mother Mary, pray for me. |
| PROMISE: | "He will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in His love, He will sing joyfully because of you, as one sings at festivals." –Zep 3:17-18 |
| PRAISE: | "But who am I that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" (Lk 1:43) Holy Spirit, thank You for inspiring St. Elizabeth to teach us the truth of Mary's divine maternity. |
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