In thirteen days, we will begin praying the Pentecost Novena. The Lord intends to give us a renewal of our Baptisms and Confirmations that will truly change the world. In the Holy Spirit, we will receive power (Acts 1:8) and be "clothed with power from on high" (Lk 24:49). In the Holy Spirit, we will do works even greater than Jesus did (Jn 14:12).
Because of our great power in the Holy Spirit, we are a threat to the devil. He will try to stop us by bribing us with fleeting, enslaving pleasures. If that doesn't work, he attempts to intimidate us by threatening to inflict pain on us and persecute us. Consequently, we must be willing to endure "violent abuse" (Acts 13:45) and even death, rather than compromise the Gospel.
Do you want to receive the Holy Spirit in much greater ways? Knowing that you will receive both power and pain, will you cry out: "Come, Holy Spirit!"? Let us decide to take up the cross, the cost of Pentecost (see Lk 9:23).
| PRAYER: | Father, work in unprecedented glory through the Pentecost Novena this year. |
| PROMISE: | "Anything you ask Me in My name I will do." –Jn 14:14 |
| PRAISE: | Mary prayed faithfully for many years for Thomas to be converted. On his deathbed, Thomas accepted Jesus as his Savior. |
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