Before we die, as soon as possible, even at this moment, we must "be heard praying, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit' " (Acts 7:59). We must give our entire lives to Jesus and confess Him as Lord (Rm 10:9). Yet "no one can say: 'Jesus is Lord,' except in the Holy Spirit" (1 Cor 12:3).

Unless we forgive from our hearts, we will be handed over to the torturers (Mt 18:34-35). We pray to be forgiven as we forgive those who trespass against us (Mt 6:12). With Stephen and Jesus, we must pray: "Lord, do not hold this sin against them" (Acts 7:60; see Lk 23:34). We must forgive or die in our sins (see Jn 8:21), but "to err is human, to forgive is divine." Therefore, we cannot forgive by our power. We are not divine, but the Holy Spirit is divine.

Jesus is praying that we would be one as He and the Father are one (Jn 17:21). He expects us to answer His prayer. Otherwise, the world may not believe that the Father has sent Jesus (Jn 17:21). How can we be one? "It was in one Spirit that all of us, whether Jew or Greek, slave or free, were baptized into one body" (1 Cor 12:13).

Jesus says: "Remember, I am coming soon!" (Rv 22:12) He will reward each of us as our conduct deserves (Rv 22:12). How can we stand before the Son of Man on Judgment Day? We need the Holy Spirit.

"The Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come!' Let him who hears answer, 'Come!' Let him who is thirsty come forward; let all who desire it accept the gift of life-giving water" (Rv 22:17). Come, Holy Spirit!

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, July 26, 1997

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 29, 1997