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Sunday, May 12, 2002

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Ascension
Pentecost Novena - Day 3


Acts 1:1-11
Ephesians 1:17-23
Psalm 47
Matthew 28:16-20

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undoubtedly

"When they saw Him, they worshiped, but they doubted." —Matthew 28:17, RNAB

Even after meeting the risen Jesus on several occasions, the apostles worshiped but doubted. Doubtful worship is a contradiction, but we often live in contradictions. We believe, but we have a lack of faith (Mk 9:24). We are baptized into, that is, immersed into Jesus (see Rm 6:3), but are preoccupied with ourselves. We want to go to heaven, but don't want to die to get there. We believe Jesus is God, yet we hold back in worshipping, serving, and loving Him.

The ascended Jesus calls us to go to the upper room and pray for the Holy Spirit. The Spirit confirms us (see 2 Cor 1:21). In the Spirit, we are no longer hesitant, diffident, halting, inconsistent, and contradictory. In the Spirit, we put our hand to the gospel plow and don't look back (Lk 9:62). The Holy Spirit brings our life to a boil, and we are not lukewarm (see Rv 3:16). Then we are unambiguous in witnessing for the risen Christ (Acts 1:8) and unstoppable in making disciples of all nations (Mt 28:19).

Come, Holy Spirit, dispel doubts and confirm us in the truth.

Prayer:  Father, change my life through this Pentecost novena.

Promise:  May "the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory...give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of Him. May the eyes of [your] hearts be enlightened." —Eph 1:17-18, RNAB

Praise:  Praise Jesus, "manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit; seen by the angels; preached among the Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up into glory" (1 Tm 3:16).

Reference:  (NOTE: In many dioceses, Ascension Thursday has been moved to Sunday.)

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Giles H. Pater, November 15, 2001


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, November 16, 2001