Imagine throwing your life away to run after a Man Whom you have never seen and Who claims to be God risen from the dead. This is the decision that each Christian makes. We have decided not just to go to Church, say some prayers, or live a decent life but to throw ourselves at Jesus' feet, worship Him, deny our very selves, and follow Jesus even to the cross (see Lk 9:23). "We have become a spectacle to the universe, to angels and men alike. We are fools on Christ's account" (1 Cor 4:9-10).
As we draw near to Pentecost, let us repent and be immersed in the person of Jesus (Acts 2:38). Then we will receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). We must be baptized into repentance (Lk 3:3) and into Jesus (Acts 2:38) before we can receive the third Baptism, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Mk 1:8). Because Jesus baptizes us in the Spirit, we must come to Him, believe in Him (Jn 7:37-38), and love Him with all our hearts to receive the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, come to Jesus – on His terms. He is "rejected by men but approved, nonetheless, and precious in God's eyes" (1 Pt 2:4). Come to Jesus, and the Spirit will come to you.
| PRAYER: | Father, I accept Your grace to love You and Jesus with all my heart (see Mt 22:37). Come, Holy Spirit! |
| PROMISE: | "When Jesus had finished speaking He said to him, 'Follow Me.' " –Jn 21:19 |
| PRAISE: | Pope St. Gregory VII's last recorded words were: "I have loved justice and hated iniquity...therefore, I die in exile" (see Ps 101). |
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