in the spirit or in ___?
"If you, with all your sins, know how to give your children good things, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him." —Luke 11:13
When we were baptized and confirmed, we received the Holy Spirit. At countless other times, we have again received the Spirit. We thus have every reason to be filled with the Spirit (see Acts 2:4; 4:8; 4:31; 7:55). However, because of our sins and selfishness, we have stifled (1 Thes 5:19) and saddened the Spirit (Eph 4:30). Therefore, we must repent (see Acts 2:38) and once again ask for the fullness of the Spirit (see Lk 11:13).
If we don't stir into flame the gift of the Spirit in our lives (see 2 Tm 1:6-7), we may even lose the Spirit. It is possible for a Christian to begin in the Spirit and to end in the flesh (Gal 3:3). It is possible for a person to go from the fullness of the Spirit to the empty desolation of hell (see Heb 6:4-6). So it is a choice between life in the Spirit or the death of sin (Rm 8:13). We must renew our Baptisms and Confirmations. Only the Holy Spirit can prevent us from being devoured by the evil spirit (1 Pt 5:8).
Come, Holy Spirit!
Prayer: "Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Your love." Father, send forth the Spirit, and we shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth.
Promise: "Is it because you observe the law or because you have faith in what you heard that God lavishes the Spirit on you and works wonders in your midst?" —Gal 3:5
Praise: After ten years of stubbornness, Thomas repented and went back to Confession.
Reference: (For related teaching, order our book, Seek the Gifts of the Spirit.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, April 2, 1996
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 3, 1996