he'll come if you'll go
"When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him home and explained to him God's new way in greater detail." —Acts 18:26
On this second day of the Pentecost novena, we must think not only of praying the novena but also giving it. We need to take someone home and explain "to him God's new way in greater detail" (Acts 18:26). As we give, we "shall receive, and more besides" (Mk 4:24). At the first Christian Pentecost, 120 disciples of Jesus received the Holy Spirit at 9 o'clock in the morning. Then they shared the Holy Spirit with three thousand other people who were baptized that day (Acts 2:41).
Mary received the Holy Spirit and conceived Jesus. "Thereupon Mary set out, proceeding in haste into the hill country" where she brought Jesus and the Holy Spirit to Elizabeth and her baby (Lk 1:39ff). The Holy Spirit is "given to those that obey" the Lord by sharing the Holy Spirit (see Acts 5:32). Thus, Pentecost by definition should not be in the singular. Pentecost results in another Pentecost, leading to Pentecosts after Pentecosts.
Are you docile to the Holy Spirit? You are willing to receive the Holy Spirit only if you are willing to do anything necessary to share the Spirit. Only if we are willing to go can we truly ask the Holy Spirit to come. Will you pray: "Come, Holy Spirit?"
Prayer: Father, give me zeal to light a fire on the earth (Lk 12:49).
Promise: "I give you My assurance, whatever you ask the Father, He will give you in My name." —Jn 16:23
Praise: St. Philip Neri began to re-evangelize Rome by introducing himself and the message of Jesus to young people in the city marketplaces.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order Fr. Lauer's tape on Baptism in the Holy Spirit on audio AV 43-1 or video V-43.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, December 9, 2000
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 12, 2000