The Ephesian believers talked and acted in such a way that St. Paul questioned whether they had the Holy Spirit. In response to Paul’s question, the Ephesians said they had never heard of the Holy Spirit. Paul then found out they had only received the baptism of John. Paul proceeded to tell them about Jesus and baptize them. Then Paul administered to them the Sacrament of Confirmation. “As Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came down on them and they began to speak in tongues and to utter prophecies” (Acts 19:6).

Although the Ephesians didn’t even know their faith, they were able to receive both Jesus and the Holy Spirit within a very short time. Why do the gifts of the Spirit operate in some people right away and others wait for months or even years? The Ephesians could move in the Holy Spirit without delay because they admitted their weakness. They admitted they didn’t even know there was a Holy Spirit (Acts 19:2). In their humility and weakness, God’s power reached perfection (2 Cor 12:9). The power of the Holy Spirit is not for those who pretend they’re powerful but for the “merest children” (Lk 10:21). Will you admit to being weak enough to receive the Spirit?

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