The baptism of the Holy Spirit as many call it, is in fact an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Which again many would have already received during their baptism and later again at confirmation. If given an opportunity however, we all should attend such a retreat where it ends with the outpouring. Why? Because it is the Holy Spirit that teaches, guides and shows us how we should be living fully in God our Father’s love. Fully alive with joy in our hearts and emboldened to share the love of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ through the Gospel with all! And we all have need of a reawakening, reigniting, rekindling if you will.
Yes indeed I have witnessed the transformation of many over the years after they had attended such retreats because I either helped facilitate the sessions or was present to help in any way I could. Apart from witnessing their gifts put into action, like praising the Lord in tongues, healing of others and too many to list, they began new lives in church ministry or in neighborhood communities serving with joy.
Do not worry, if you don’t have an opportunity to attend such a retreat now. You can still pray to the Holy Spirit to enter into your life more profoundly and prepare your hearts to receive Him at Pentecost through prayer, fasting, and dwelling on His Word.
Come Holy Spirit, come. Amen Alleluia!
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.’
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