At Pentecost, the Lord lavished the Holy Spirit on the early Church (Ti 3:6). The Spirit was poured out in superabundance as rivers of living water (Jn 7:38), "for many wonders and signs were performed by the apostles" (Acts 2:43). A man over forty years old, who had never walked a step in his life, was miraculously cured (Acts 4:22). Peter healed hundreds as he walked down the street. He did not pray or touch the sick; just his shadow falling on them brought healing (Acts 5:15). Angels began to appear and even opened the gates of the jail where the apostles were imprisoned (Acts 5:19). As the Lord promised, in the early Church the Spirit was certainly not rationed (Jn 3:34) but was poured out more than we could ever ask for or imagine (Eph 3:20).

Why do things seem different today, at least in America? Why does the Spirit seem rationed, stifled (1 Thes 5:19), and saddened? (Eph 4:30) The Spirit is "given to those that obey Him" (Acts 5:32). Because of our lack of faith, we refuse to obey the Lord. We yield to the desires of the flesh, which directly opposes and lusts against the Spirit (Gal 5:17). Thus the Spirit is stifled by our lack of receptivity. Repent and receive the unrationed gift of the Holy Spirit.

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 16, 2006

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