THE STRONGEST DESIRE

“Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Ask for whatever I may do for you, before I am taken from you.’ Elisha answered, ‘May I receive a double portion of your spirit.’ ” —2 Kings 2:9

All Christians have been baptized in the Holy Spirit (see Mk 1:8). We are immersed in the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Blessed Trinity. We are filled with the Spirit and surrounded by the Spirit. We are preoccupied with the Holy Spirit, if we are living our Baptisms fully.

It is normal for Christians living their Baptisms to desire full life in the Spirit even more than Elisha desired to receive a double portion of the Spirit which was upon Elijah (see 2 Kgs 2:9). It is normal for those baptized in the Spirit not to quench (1 Thes 5:19) nor grieve the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30). Therefore, the Lord commands us to resist these temptations. It is normal for the baptized to thirst for the living waters of the Spirit (Jn 7:37-38) more than we thirst for any pleasure or need, even breath itself.

May we learn from Elisha to do whatever it takes to receive the Holy Spirit in a new Pentecost (2 Kgs 2:2ff). May we learn from the apostles to pray for as many days as necessary to increase our desire for the fullness of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 1:14). You are baptized in the Holy Spirit. Desire accordingly.

Prayer: Father, may I want zealously what You want.

Promise: “Be on guard against performing religious acts for people to see. Otherwise expect no recompense from your heavenly Father.” —Mt 6:1

Praise: George has grown in his love for Jesus in the Eucharist and now spends hours per week in Eucharistic adoration.