swing set?
"I tell you truly: you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices; you will grieve for a time, but your grief will be turned into joy." —John 16:20
Imagine a little boy sitting in a swing. This child's slightly older brother begins to push his brother in the swing. At first, the younger brother is delighted. Then his brother pushes the swing harder. The younger brother begins to become afraid. He cries to his brother to stop. The older brother pushes even harder. The younger child begins to scream and cry.
This scene is analogous to trusting in the Spirit. When the wind of the Spirit blows our swing, it can be delightful. However, if the Holy Spirit pushes harder, we might become afraid. Because of our fears, we can refuse to let the wind of the Spirit lift us up to the heights.
The Holy Spirit swung Paul so hard that he was sent to be a missionary to the Gentiles (see Acts 18:6). The cross is the ultimate push of the Holy Spirit. We are naturally afraid to be lifted up to the cross.
Tomorrow begins the Pentecost novena, which is often all about growing to trust the Holy Spirit before He pushes your swing harder. Pray with all your heart the Pentecost novena.
Prayer: Jesus, lifted up on the cross, in the Resurrection, and in Your Ascension, may I let you draw me to Yourself (Jn 12:32).
Promise: "Many of the Corinthians, too, who heard Paul believed and were baptized." —Acts 18:8
Praise: At a healing service, Jesus healed Nora's torn rotator cuff, restoring her full range of motion.
Reference: (For a related teaching on Praying for a New Pentecost, order, listen to, or download our CD 92A-1, CD 92A-3, CD 93B-1, or our DVD 92A 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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