Category: Daily Reflections

” ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?’ They answered, ‘We have not so much as heard that there is a Holy Spirit.’ ” –Acts 19:2 The Lord chooses the “lowborn and despised, those who count for nothing” (1 Cor 1:28). He pours out His Spirit on all mankind, even on the servants and handmaids (Acts 2:18; Jl 3:1-2). The “God-forsaken” Samaritans, the blasphemer Paul, and the pagan Cornelius received the Holy Spirit (see Acts 8, 9, 10). The twelve Ephesians, like the twelve apostles, received the Holy Spirit and “began to speak in tongues and to...

“When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him home and explained to him God’s new way in greater detail.” –Acts 18:26 Satan’s most effective way of preventing us from receiving the Holy Spirit’s graces is to make us think we already have them. We certainly won’t seek what we think we’ve already found. The devil tries to pass off good things for God’s things. For example, Apollos had many good things about him. He was eloquent, “an authority on Scripture and instructed in the new way of the Lord,” and “full of spiritual fervor” (Acts 18:24-25). Yet he didn’t...

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...