How different are we from the Apostles before Pentecost? We say we believe but when faced with a crisis we shut down. Become disillusioned even despondent. How have we held on to the promises of Christ? That is why it is important to live in the Spirit. To allow the Holy Spirit to guide us and to remind us in moments of great difficulty that our Lord Jesus Christ is with us through it all and He will never abandon us.
Sadly there are many who have not encountered the Holy Spirit in a real and tangible way. And even if they had, they do not have the faith and believe to hold on to that encounter. They allow their pessimistic skepticism to take over and convince themselves that it was all in their head to begin with. All of us had received the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at our baptism and then again at confirmation unless of course both was done together at the same time. However unless we continue to live out our Baptismal promises and mission post confirmation all that we had received can be lost! Same applies to those who have had a renewal in the Spirit through LISS,CER or some other Spirit filled retreat. Hence it is important to continue to strive and live in the Spirit. To pray, fast, embrace the Word daily and live out grace filled Sacramental lives through the frequent reception of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist.
Lord Jesus You have indeed conquered the world and because of this reality I have nothing to fear. Bless me Lord so that I may live according to Your will and in the Spirit. Amen
First reading
Acts 19:1-8 †
The moment Paul laid hands on them the Holy Spirit came down on them
While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul made his way overland as far as Ephesus, where he found a number of disciples. When he asked, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?’ they answered, ‘No, we were never even told there was such a thing as a Holy Spirit.’ ‘Then how were you baptised?’ he asked. ‘With John’s baptism’ they replied. ‘John’s baptism’ said Paul ‘was a baptism of repentance; but he insisted that the people should believe in the one who was to come after him – in other words, Jesus.’ When they heard this, they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus, and the moment Paul had laid hands on them the Holy Spirit came down on them, and they began to speak with tongues and to prophesy. There were about twelve of these men.
He began by going to the synagogue, where he spoke out boldly and argued persuasively about the kingdom of God. He did this for three months.
Gospel
John 16:29-33
Be brave, for I have conquered the world
His disciples said to Jesus, ‘Now you are speaking plainly and not using metaphors! Now we see that you know everything, and do not have to wait for questions to be put into words; because of this we believe that you came from God.’ Jesus answered them:
‘Do you believe at last?
Listen; the time will come – in fact it has come already – when you will be scattered, each going his own way and leaving me alone.
And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
I have told you all this so that you may find peace in me.
In the world you will have trouble,
but be brave: I have conquered the world.’
CatholicJules.net 