breathe on me
“All were filled with the Holy Spirit.” —Acts 2:4
On this Pentecost Sunday, Jesus, Who is the same today as He was yesterday (Heb 13:8), is breathing on us and commanding us: “Receive the Holy Spirit” (Jn 20:22). To receive the Spirit and thereby a renewal of our Baptisms and Confirmations, we must repent, forgive, and be forgiven (see Acts 2:38; Mt 6:12; Jn 20:23). Then we will express ourselves “in foreign tongues and make bold proclamation as the Spirit” prompts us (Acts 2:4). We will see a miracle of unity. As the divisions between races, nations, spouses, family members, and church members break down (see Acts 2:8-11; 1 Cor 12:13), the world will believe that God the Father has sent Jesus as the Savior of the world (Jn 17:21). The Holy Spirit will renew the face of the earth (Ps 104:30).
Therefore, “come, Holy Spirit, come!...Heal our wounds, our strength renew; on our dryness pour Your dew; wash the stains of guilt away. Bend the stubborn heart and will; melt the frozen, warm the chill; guide the steps that go astray” (Pentecost sequence). Come, Holy Spirit of Pentecost!
Prayer: Father, like Mary, may I visit others and bring to them the Holy Spirit and a new Pentecost (see Lk 1:39ff).
Promise: “No one can say: ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except in the Holy Spirit.” —1 Cor 12:3
Praise: “When You send forth Your Spirit...You renew the face of the earth” (Ps 104:30).
Reference: (Renew your commitment to the Lord, deepen your understanding of the faith, and grow in your spiritual gifts through the 40 Day Discipleship Formation Retreats. Attend all, some or one retreat and begin your journey. The retreats occur from June 24 through Aug. 3. See our website or e-mail retreats@presentationministries.com for information about the program.)
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from June 1, 2022 through July 31, 2022. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio November 18, 2021"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.