THE COST OF PENTECOST

"The disciples could not but be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit." -Acts 13:52

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 must 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.

 Father, work in unprecedented glory through the Pentecost novena this year.

 "Anything you ask Me in My name I will do." -Jn 14:14