At Thursday's Mass, we heard about the Holy Spirit directing Philip (Acts 8:29). Yesterday, we read about Saul being "filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 9:17). Today, we hear that with "the increased consolation of the Holy Spirit," the early Church grew in numbers (Acts 9:31). Tomorrow, Peter will be described as "filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 4:8). On Monday we will read about the descent of the Holy Spirit on Cornelius and his household (Acts 11:15). On Tuesday we hear of Barnabas, "a good man filled with the Holy Spirit and faith" (Acts 11:24). The Lord through His Church's daily eucharistic readings is making it very clear that we must not quench the Spirit (1 Thes 5:19) but be docile to the Holy Spirit in every way.

At the end of this Easter season, we will celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The Lord wants this to be the greatest Pentecost of our lives. Without the Holy Spirit, we will be imprisoned in the upper room rather than sent from that room to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. The angels and saints in heaven, the poor souls in purgatory, the Church throughout the world, and all creation are breathing with Jesus the prayer: "Veni, Creator Spiritus!" ("Come, Creator Spirit!") (see Jn 20:22) Let us join the symphony of the Spirit. "Come, Holy Spirit!"

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Giles H. Pater, October 17, 2002

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 21, 2002