easter presents
"Grant to Your servants, even as they speak Your words, complete assurance." —Acts 4:29
On the ninth day of Easter, our true Love, Jesus (see 1 Jn 4:8, 16), gives us holy boldness, complete assurance, absolute confidence (Acts 4:29; Heb 10:22), "parrhesia," "straightforward simplicity, filial trust, joyous assurance, humble boldness, the certainty of being loved" (Catechism, 2778). When we pray with this assurance and confidence, the place where we pray shakes and we are "filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 4:31).
Will you accept the risen Jesus' gift of holy boldness? If you accept this gift, you are committing yourself to use it — to witness for the risen Christ even if you will be persecuted. If you are in love with the risen Christ, that love will impel you (2 Cor 5:14) to speak up for Jesus. Therefore, holy boldness is just what you want and need. But if your love for God, Who is Love, is cold (see Mt 24:12), then you would not want holy boldness from your true Love on this ninth day of Easter.
The risen Jesus is asking us the same question He asked Peter: "Do you love me?" (Jn 21:15, 16, 17) Jesus is breathing on you and commanding you: "Receive the Holy Spirit" (Jn 20:22) of love (see Gal 5:22). Say "yes" to Love. Receive the gift of love. Then you will want the gift of holy boldness.
Prayer: Father, on this Easter day, give me a greater love for You than ever before.
Promise: "I solemnly assure you, no one can enter into God's kingdom without being begotten of water and Spirit." —Jn 3:5
Praise: St. Peter was martyred by the Indians of the South Pacific island where he had spent several years as a moderately successful missionary. Shortly after his martyrdom, the entire population of the island joined the Catholic Church.
Reference: (For a holy boldness through Pentecost coming soon, order our tape Pentecost Novena on audio AV 103-1 or video V-103.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Giles H. Pater, October 17, 2002
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 21, 2002