Category: Bible Study

The “time has come.” –John 16:21 Today we begin nine days of prayer for the Holy Spirit, as the apostles did in the upper room before the first Pentecost. We need this time to prepare the way for the Spirit. Possibly you’re afraid of receiving the Spirit, but “the Spirit God has given us is no cowardly spirit, but rather One that makes us strong, loving, and wise” (2 Tm 1:7). Jesus commands: “Do not be afraid. Go on speaking and do not be silenced, for I am with you” (Acts 18:9-10). Come, Holy Spirit! Maybe you’ve lost a spouse,...

“You will grieve for a time, but your grief will be turned into joy.” –John 16:20 Because of the outbreak of the coronavirus, we in Ohio were not able to take part in public Masses for over two months. We “grieved” the loss of the Eucharist (see Jn 16:20). When the day arrived that we could attend Mass and receive the Holy Eucharist, our grief was turned to joy (Jn 16:20). Tomorrow begins the Pentecost Novena, nine days of praying for and preparing to receive the Holy Spirit in a life-changing way at Pentecost. Jesus insisted that His apostles wait...

“When He comes, however, being the Spirit of truth He will guide you to all truth.” –John 16:13 For many, this Easter season has been fantastic. Others have been discouraged. They may feel like St. Paul after his failure at Athens. When Paul started speaking to the Athenians about Jesus’ Resurrection, some interrupted and sneered at him. Others brushed him off, telling him to come back some other time (Acts 17:32). Although a few did become believers, this was the worst response in the Bible to Paul’s preaching of the Gospel. You may also feel like a failure. You may...

“All this I tell you, that My joy may be yours.” —John 15:11 Jesus promises us we can have His joy, the joy of God enthroned in heaven. We receive this joy by keeping God’s commandments as Jesus kept the Father’s commandments (Jn 15:10). This may come as a surprise to many because we think joy depends on doing our own thing rather than God’s thing. However, let the facts speak for themselves. Possibly never before has a culture been so preoccupied with feeling good, pleasure-seeking, and selfish pursuits. Yet we are very discontent. Alienated youth, depression, drug and alcohol...