the operating room
"At one point during those days, Peter stood up in the center of the brothers." —Acts 1:15
On this third day of prayer in the Pentecost Novena, the Lord may call someone to stand up in the center of our lives, as Peter stood up in the center of the upper room. As before the first Christian Pentecost, the Lord may call someone to bring specific Scripture passages to our attention (see Acts 1:16, 20). These words will be "living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword" (Heb 4:12). They will penetrate, clarify, and judge "the reflections and thoughts" of our hearts (Heb 4:12).
As we listen to God's messengers and let His word burn in our hearts (see Lk 24:32), we will accept the grace to face the Judases in our lives. We will come out of denial and admit our sins. We will repent and be healed. We will let the Lord work together for the good the tragedies and even traumas of our lives (see Rm 8:28).
In the upper room, we listen to God's messengers, humbly welcome God's word (Jas 1:21), and go to Confession. The upper room is a place of painful healing where we put behind us the Judases of our lives. Enter into and remain in the upper room until Judas is gone.
Prayer: Father, I trust You as I enter the operating room.
Promise: "Consecrate them by means of truth — 'Your word is truth.' As You have sent Me into the world, so I have sent them into the world; I consecrate Myself for their sakes now, that they may be consecrated in truth." —Jn 17:17-19
Praise: Praise Jesus, risen, ascended, glorified, and seated at the right hand of the Father in the power of the Spirit!
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, December 16, 1999
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 18, 1999