easter presents
"Grant to Your servants, even as they speak Your words, complete assurance." —Acts 4:29
On the ninth day of Easter, our true Love, Jesus (see 1 Jn 4:8, 16), gives us holy boldness, complete assurance, absolute confidence (Acts 4:29; Heb 10:22), "parrhesia, straightforward simplicity, filial trust, joyous assurance, humble boldness, the certainty of being loved" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2778). When we pray with this assurance and confidence, we are "filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 4:31).
Will you accept the risen Jesus' gift of what the Catechism quote above calls "humble boldness"? If you accept this gift, you are committing yourself to use it — to witness for the risen Christ even if you will be persecuted. If you are in love with the risen Christ, that love will impel you (2 Cor 5:14) to speak up for Jesus. Therefore, such boldness may be just what you want and need. However, if your love for God, Who is Love, is cold (see Mt 24:12), then you would not want this humble boldness from your true Love on this ninth day of Easter.
The risen Jesus is asking us the same question He asked Peter: "Do you love me?" (Jn 21:15, 16, 17) Jesus is breathing on you and commanding you: "Receive the Holy Spirit" (Jn 20:22) of love (see Gal 5:22). Say "yes" to Love. Receive the gifts of love and boldness.
Prayer: Father, on this day in the season of Easter, give me a greater love for You than ever before.
Promise: "I solemnly assure you, no one can enter into God's kingdom without being begotten of water and Spirit." —Jn 3:5
Praise: St. Catherine of Siena had converted thousands by her words and actions as a young adult.
Reference: (For a holy boldness through Pentecost coming soon, order, listen to, or download Pentecost Novena on CD 103-1 or DVD 103 on our website.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, November 28, 2018
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