< <  

Saturday, April 27, 2024

  > >


Acts 13:44-52
Psalm 98:1-4
John 14:7-14

View Readings
Similar Reflections

the cost of pentecost is the _____

“The disciples could not but be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.” —Acts 13:52

In thirteen days, we will begin praying the Pentecost Novena. The Lord intends to give us a renewal of our Baptisms and Confirmations that will truly change the world. In the Holy Spirit, we will receive power (Acts 1:8) and be “clothed with power from on high” (Lk 24:49). In the Holy Spirit, we will do works even greater than Jesus did (Jn 14:12).

Because of our great power in the Holy Spirit, we are a threat to the devil. He will try to stop us by bribing us with fleeting, enslaving pleasures. If that doesn’t work, he attempts to intimidate us by threatening to inflict pain on us and persecute us. Consequently, we must be willing to endure “violent abuse” (Acts 13:45) and even death, rather than compromise the Gospel.

Do you want to receive the Holy Spirit in much greater ways? Knowing that you will receive both power and pain, will you cry out: “Come, Holy Spirit!”? Let us decide to take up the cross, the cost of Pentecost (see Lk 9:23).

Prayer:  Father, work in unprecedented glory through the Pentecost Novena this year.

Promise:  “Anything you ask Me in My name I will do.” —Jn 14:14

Praise:  Mary prayed faithfully for many years for Thomas to be converted. On his deathbed, Thomas accepted Jesus as his Savior.

Reference:  (For a related teaching on Baptism in the Holy Spirit, listen to, download or order our CD 43-1 or DVD 43 on our website.)

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 April 1, 2024, through May 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 22, 2023"

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.