The twelve Ephesian men so readily gave their lives to Jesus and received the Holy Spirit because they had received St. John the Baptizer's baptism of repentance (see Acts 19:3-4). At the first Christian Pentecost, St. Peter told the people to repent in order to receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). On the evening of the day on which Jesus rose from the dead, Jesus commanded His apostles to receive the Holy Spirit (Jn 20:22). Then he delegated to them the power to forgive sins in His name (Jn 20:23). The risen Jesus made it clear that the baptism of repentance is a precursor to being baptized in the Spirit (see Mk 1:4, 8).
On this fourth day of the Pentecost Novena, plan to go to Confession as soon as possible. One of the first works of the Spirit is to convict us of sin (Jn 16:8). If we respond to this grace by repenting, we open the door to an amazing series of movements of the Holy Spirit. It is both a necessity and a privilege for us to repent as deeply as possible. When even one person repents, all in heaven, including the Holy Spirit, rejoices (Lk 15:7). Repent. Give God joy. Receive the Holy Spirit.
| PRAYER: | Father, may sin lose its hold on me (see Heb 12:1). |
| PROMISE: | "You will suffer in the world. But take courage! I have overcome the world." –Jn 16:33 |
| PRAISE: | St. Rita of Cascia loved and prayed for her abusive husband and he repented before his death. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College