On the first Easter evening, Jesus breathed on the apostles "and said: 'Receive the Holy Spirit' " (Jn 20:22). They showed no signs of having accepted the Spirit as they remained locked in the upper room "for fear of the Jews" (Jn 20:19, 26). Fifty days later, the apostles and over a hundred other people "were filled with the Holy Spirit. They began to express themselves in foreign tongues and make bold proclamation as the Spirit prompted them" (Acts 2:4).

Why did the apostles receive the Holy Spirit at Pentecost but not on the day Jesus rose from the dead? "The Holy Spirit of discipline flees deceit" (Wis 1:5). Possibly at the first Easter the apostles were not honest with themselves about their sins and fears. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth (Jn 16:13). We must be consecrated by truth to receive the Spirit (see Jn 17:17).

If we are honest with ourselves, we will realize that we do not want to receive the Spirit that much because the Holy Spirit, being God, will not take orders from us. Rather, He will command us to do His will. This turns us off to the Holy Spirit because we naturally don't want anyone, even God, to tell us what to do. We must honestly face this resistance to the Spirit, repent of our selfishness, and make a decision to do God's will instead of ours. Then we will be filled with the Spirit.

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 31, 2011

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