life in the spirit or death
"The Spirit God has given us is no cowardly spirit, but rather One That makes us strong, loving, and wise." —2 Timothy 1:7
We live in a world of "destruction and violence," strife and "clamorous discord" (Hab 1:3). What are we to do? "Write down the vision clearly upon the tablets, so that one can read it readily" (Hab 2:2). We receive visions from the Holy Spirit (see Acts 2:17).
We must not only have a vision and be able to express it, but we must also see the vision fulfilled (Hab 2:3). We do this by faith (see Hab 2:4). Faith is both a gift (1 Cor 12:9) and a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22).
The prophet Zechariah proclaimed: "Not by an army, nor by might, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts" (Zec 4:6). Only by the Holy Spirit can we defeat the evil spirits and see God's plan fulfilled for our lives. When we pray the Creed, we call the Holy Spirit "the Lord, the Giver of life." The Holy Spirit is necessary for life. To quench the Spirit (1 Thes 5:19) is to begin to die. We need the Holy Spirit to be as active as possible in our lives.
Thus, we must renew our Baptisms at which we received the Holy Spirit. We must also renew our Confirmations when we received a new Pentecost and the fullness of the Holy Spirit. We should "stir into flame" the power and love and self-control which comes from the Holy Spirit (2 Tm 1:6, 7). Come, Holy Spirit! Baptize me, immerse me into You (see Mt 28:19).
Prayer: Father, may I not grieve the Holy Spirit in any way (Eph 4:30).
Promise: "The vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; if it delays, wait for it, it will surely come." —Hab 2:3
Praise: Praise the risen Jesus, baptizing us in the Holy Spirit! (Mk 1:8) Praise the Holy Spirit, our Lord and Strength!
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, March 30, 2004
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 1, 2004