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Monday, May 2, 2005

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St. Athanasius


Acts 16:11-15
Psalm 149
John 15:26—16:4

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anticipation

"When the Paraclete comes, the Spirit of truth Who comes from the Father — and Whom I Myself will send from the Father — He will bear witness on My behalf. You must bear witness as well." —John 15:26-27

This has been a great Easter season. The risen Lord has shown His love and power more than we could ever ask or imagine (Eph 3:20). Yet the best is still to come. The Holy Spirit is about to move in our lives in an unprecedented way. This will be a Pentecost to remember. "Soon and very soon" we will be newly empowered to bear witness to the risen Christ. Some of us will be sent even to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8) to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. We will be persecuted, some even martyred, for the sake of Jesus (Jn 16:2).

All those willing to receive the Spirit will launch out this Pentecost to lead a lost world into the arms of the loving Savior. Our attitude now should be one of prayerful anticipation, hope, excitement, and joy at the thought of serving the Lord in even greater ways. Jesus is risen and on the throne. The Spirit is moving in power. We are in the upper room where He is moving. Come, Holy Spirit!

Prayer:  Father, may I desire to receive the Holy Spirit as much as I desire to breathe.

Promise:  "The Lord opened her heart to accept what Paul was saying." —Acts 16:14

Praise:  St. Athanasius is known as the Doctor of the Incarnation, the "Father of Orthodoxy." Because of his powerful defenses against heresy, he was for years the most wanted "criminal" in the Roman Empire.

Reference:  (For a related teaching, order our leaflet Praying for a New Pentecost or our audio tapes AV 92A-1, AV 92A-3, AV 93B-1 or our video series of two tapes that starts with V-92A.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 12, 2004

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