Baptism In The Holy Spirit - Eleven

Ascension of the Lord

"Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky ........

In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for “the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak; for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

When they had gathered together they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He answered them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 

When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.” Acts 1:

PRAYER FOR GRACE:

Jesus my Lord, I confess to you and to all the world my need for your presence in my life. I am alone and in darkness without you. I am influenced and controlled by the many forces that surround me. Even though I struggle against them, it is sin that so easily dominates my life. Who can save me but you alone, my Lord and my God. Deliver me from the Evil One. Touch my life with that power which flows from your resurrection. Cause your Holy Spirit to be born in me anew. Prince of Peace and Lord of Glory reign now in my heart. Baptize me with your Holy Spirit and Fire. Raise me up to a New Life in you.

POINTS TO CONSIDER AS YOU PRAY:

• ..... but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” one week remaining until Pentecost and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
• It is called the "Gift" of the Holy Spirit. We do not merit such a gift by our actions.
• Without the Holy Spirit, our religious striving will be in vain.
• "Were not our hearts burning within us ..." These holy days of Pentecost are meant to fill our hearts with a new desire for a new outpouring of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
• What measure do you give now for the desire in your own heart?

REVIEW OF PRAYER: 

• Was there a time in your prayer that evoked a change in the way you were feeling?
• Were you able to picture the event in your imagination?Did you identify with any particular person in the passage?
• Was there anything in your prayer that touched your heart?
• Can you name the feelings you experienced?
• Did you hear the Spirit, in your mind's ear, speaking to you?
• What areas of your personal life seemed to be coming to mind as you prayed?
• Do you have a desire to return again to this passage and prayer?
• Described what you have learned.
• What questions do you now have following your prayer?

Novena To The Holy Spirit

The text for the novena is posted on the page; Novena to the Holy Spirit.

You may also wish to pray the Chaplet For The Grace Of Renewal, also found on the Pages, side bar.

PRAYING WITH MARY ON PENTECOST 

Holy Mary Mother of God, on Pentecost Day / you gathered all the friends of Jesus / in that meeting room of prayer. / Jesus had instructed that all must come together in prayer, / to wait in trusting hope for the Promised One to come. / In the mystery of God’s grace, / let us gather with you now. / We desire with all our hearts, / that the Anointing of Pentecost may come upon us once again. / Pray for us dear Mary, that the Mighty Wind of God’s Breath / will come and fill our house of prayer. / Pray that Jesus your Son / will send down upon us now, those tongues of flame, / to enkindle in our hearts the fire of love and the light of faith . / Pray that our tongues be freed so that we might fill this house with the praises of God. / Pray O Queen of heaven, that the Holy Spirit will give to our hearts a song of joy and thanksgiving / for His mighty works now done in our midst. 

Come Holy Spirit, come. / Come down upon us now. / Melt our frozen hearts, reshape our distorted minds, / renew our sagging spirits with your Breath of Life. Fr. Curtin