Are you feeling spiritually dry? Do you feel that God is looking at your life and saying, "How dry you are!"? At one time in my life I was constantly surrounded by spirit-filled people, but I felt so dry and far from the Holy Spirit that I received in Baptism and Confirmation. I had given up hope of ever receiving His fullness. I was spiritually dry and I desperately needed living water (Jn 4:14). However, my life was fulfilling the expression: "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink." I wanted the Spirit and a few of His gifts, but I didn't want the Spirit to run my life.
"It is the Spirit that gives life" (Jn 6:63; Ez 37:5). It's the Holy Spirit that gives the ability to love God and neighbor with our all (Mt 22:37). I knew these truths, but I only wanted the Spirit to give me a half-life, not life to the full (Jn 10:10). I wanted new life, but didn't want a new lifestyle (see Mk 2:21-22).
For years, God soaked me with His sweet love through the Mass and the Holy Bible. Eventually, I came to Jesus and begged Him to immerse me in the Holy Spirit (Jn 7:37-38; Mk 1:8), even if I had to change my entire life (see Mt 13:44). I received the Holy Spirit in a deeper, life-changing way and was stunned to discover that I loved this new lifestyle.
Repent of stifling or saddening the Spirit, whether intentionally or unknowingly (1 Thes 5:19; Eph 4:30). Let God pour out His love in your heart through the Holy Spirit (Rm 5:5). "Receive the Holy Spirit" (Jn 20:22).
| PRAYER: | Jesus, You lavish the Church with unrationed outpourings of the Spirit (Ti 3:6; Jn 3:34). May we seek the Holy Spirit in a manner worthy of the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity. |
| PROMISE: | "I have promised, and I will do it, says the Lord."–Ez 37:14 |
| PRAISE: | St. Rose of Lima, fortified by years of prayer and penance, reached out to care for the needy, both young and old. |
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