the spirit is a movin' (on)
"The circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were surprised that the gift of the Holy Spirit should have been poured out on the Gentiles also, whom they could hear speaking in tongues and glorifying God." —Acts 10:45-46
We are two weeks away from Pentecost, a world-changing, life-changing outpouring of the Holy Spirit. God wants to pour out His Spirit on "all flesh" (see Jl 3:1), even on those like Cornelius who have never had the opportunity to hear the gospel. If we refuse to receive the Holy Spirit in our churches, Jesus will still pour out the Spirit on the streets, in the ghettos, and in the jungles.
If the USA won't open up to the Spirit, maybe China will. If the priests and ministers stifle the Spirit, Jesus will pour out the Spirit on transformed prostitutes and recovering alcoholics. We can get in on the worldwide movement of the Holy Spirit, or we can let life pass us by. God is patient and will wait on us, but eventually He will move on and leave us behind.
Let's open up and receive the Holy Spirit now. "Now is the acceptable time! Now is the day of salvation!" (2 Cor 6:2) "Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest, and in our hearts take up Thy rest."
Prayer: Lord, may the Holy Spirit descend upon all who listen to this message (Acts 10:44).
Promise: "Love, then, consists in this: not that we have loved God but that He has loved us and has sent His Son as an Offering for our sins." —1 Jn 4:10
Praise: Praise the risen Jesus, Who has poured out His Spirit in abundance in our time through a Council, a Catechism, and saintly religious and lay people.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape on Don't Stifle the Spirit on audio AV 56-3 or video V-56.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 27, 2005
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