Through Cursillo, charismatic renewal, Christ Renews, Marriage Encounter, retreats, missions, and other renewal programs, the water of the Holy Spirit has trickled into our society. Many, however, are so spiritually dry they mistake the trickle for a river. The trickle is not a river, but it could become a river if it rolls on to the sea. Trickles that go nowhere dry up. Trickles that flow into ponds become stagnant, for a pond has no outlet. Occasionally, the pond becomes agitated. We may even see a miracle or a healing (see Jn 5:7, 9), and call this renewal. But the pond soon becomes stagnant again.

Some trickles, however, driven to share the Gospel in the power of the Spirit, roll on to the sea of God's love. They become rivers whose banks are filled with life and fruit (see Ez 47:7ff).

A holy Lent makes the waters of Baptism trickle from the Church. A holy Easter forms the river of Pentecost. Don't be dry or stagnant. "Let him who is thirsty come forward; let all who desire it accept the gift of life-giving water" (Rv 22:17).

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, August 1, 1996

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 6, 1996