always thinking of pentecost
"Did you receive the Holy Spirit?" —Acts 19:2
When Paul was conversing with twelve strangers, "he put the question, 'Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?' " (Acts 19:2) This question reveals that Paul:
- expected Christians to receive the Holy Spirit when they believed and were baptized,
- questioned why these disciples did not readily give indications of the Spirit's activity in their lives,
- was open and bold in bringing up the subject of the Holy Spirit, and
- was alert to opportunities to lead others to life in the Spirit.
We should deeply desire the fullness of the Holy Spirit not only for ourselves but for as many others as possible. We must be like the 120 disciples who received the Spirit on Pentecost morning. Like them, we need to share the Spirit with 3,000 or more people as soon as possible (see Acts 2:41). Like Mary, we need to visit somebody to share our life in the Spirit (Lk 1:39ff). On this fourth day of the Pentecost Novena, we should learn from Paul and go to any lengths to lead others to life in the Spirit. If we are willing to share the Spirit, the Lord is willing to lavish the Spirit on us in fullness. Pray: "Come, Holy Spirit!" Then go in the Spirit.
Prayer: Father, make me willing to live and die for a new Pentecost in the Church.
Promise: "You will suffer in the world. But take courage! I have overcome the world." —Jn 16:33
Praise: Tim was so excited about God's love that he talked about it to waitresses in restaurants, sales clerks in stores, and people on the streets.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape series on Community Life in the Spirit Seminars on audio or video. Our six tape audio series starts with AV 40A-1. Our three tape video series starts with V40-A.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Giles H. Pater, November 15, 2001
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, November 16, 2001