late, great pentecosts
"Mary set out, proceeding in haste into the hill country to a town of Judah, where she entered Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leapt in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit." —Luke 1:39-41
About two weeks ago, the Lord gave you the Holy Spirit in a new Pentecost. Did you receive the gift of the Spirit? If so, you are acting as Mary did. You're probably visiting people to share with them Jesus in you. As you do this, they too are filled with the Spirit.
Pentecost is contagious. It is catalytic. One Pentecost leads to another. 120 people received the Holy Spirit the morning of the first Christian Pentecost, and by evening 3,000 had received the Spirit (Acts 1:15; 2:41). Pentecost is a movement with momentum. This is how the Spirit renews the face of the earth (Ps 104:30).
If you are out of the upper room, moving in the Spirit, and visiting, don't stop. Witness for Jesus right where you are and eventually to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).
If you are still in the upper room, ask Mary to visit you so that you can get into the Acts of the Apostles. Consider this feast day a visitation and an opportunity for late, great Pentecosts. Come, Holy Spirit, again and again!
Prayer: "My being proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit finds joy in God my Savior" (Lk 1:46-47).
Promise: "Do not grow slack but be fervent in spirit; He Whom you serve is the Lord." —Rm 12:11
Praise: Mary's first act as the mother of God was to bring Jesus into the home of a priest (Lk 1:40; Lk 1:5). Mary is still very active today in visiting, renewing, and strengthening the priesthood. Praise God for sending Mary to care for our priests!
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, November 9, 1996
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, November 15, 1996