“really?”
“Do you really believe?” —John 16:31
Jesus’ disciples professed their faith by stating: “We are convinced that You know everything. There is no need for anyone to ask You questions. We do indeed believe You came from God” (Jn 16:30). Jesus responded with the question: “Really?” When we profess our faith, does Jesus respond “Amen” or “Really?” Do we mean what we say or are we self-deceived?
The human heart is tortuous, twisted, deceitful (Jer 17:9). The Holy Spirit flees deceit (see Wis 1:5). Therefore, the human heart not only can refuse to accept the Spirit, but can even repel the Spirit. Because we cannot please God without the Spirit (see Rm 8:8-9), our deceit, and its effect on the Spirit, puts us in an impossible situation. Our only Hope is the Lord, Who can change the most hardened, deceitful heart.
On this fourth day of the novena to the Holy Spirit, consecrate your life to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Give Jesus everything, repent of your sins, and ask Him to create in you a clean heart (Ps 51:12). The Sacred Heart of Jesus will cleanse your heart from deceit and give you a new heart (see Ez 36:26). With this new and clean heart, you will not repel the Holy Spirit but embrace Him. You will mean what you say and no longer deceive yourself or others.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. Prepare our hearts to receive the Spirit!
Prayer: Holy Spirit, use Mary’s intercession to lay bare the thoughts of my heart (Lk 2:35), making me docile for Jesus to change me.
Promise: “As Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came down on them and they began to speak in tongues and to utter prophecies. There were in the company about twelve men in all.” —Acts 19:6-7
Praise: Preparing for Pentecost for new convert Louis changed his Easter and life.
Reference:
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for One Bread, One Body covering the period from April 1,2021 through May 31, 2021 Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio August 5,2020"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.