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Wednesday, May 24, 2000

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Acts 15:1-6
Psalm 122
John 15:1-8

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the ultimate spring cleaning

"You are clean already, thanks to the word I have spoken to you." —John 15:3

We must let the Lord clean us so that we can bear fruit abundantly. If we don't let the Lord clean us "in the bath of water by the power of the word" (Eph 5:26), we will be thrown into the fire to be burned (Jn 15:6). "Blessed are the clean of heart" (Mt 5:8, our transl). Cursed are those not cleaned by God's word.

In nine days, we will begin the Pentecost novena in the year of the Great Jubilee. This can be a time of miraculous cleaning, leading to unprecedented fruitfulness. If we let the Lord have His way, this will probably be the greatest novena in history, with hundreds of millions of people praying together for a new coming of the Holy Spirit.

Try to clear your schedule as much as possible so that you can devote prime time to this novena. Inform others of this Pentecost novena and decide to pray together in your own upper rooms (see Acts 1:13-14). "If you, with all your sins, know how to give your children good things, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him" (Lk 11:13). Come, Holy Spirit!

Prayer:  Father, help me pray the greatest novena of my life.

Promise:  "Their story caused great joy." —Acts 15:3

Praise:  After praying a novena, Bill experienced a major breakthrough in his marriage.

Reference:  (As an aid for your prayers, order our Pentecost novena brochures and our booklet, Praying for a New Pentecost.)

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Edward J. Gratsch, October 4, 1999


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 12, 1999