http://www.presentationministries.com/brochures/PentNovena.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, May 5, 2008, Pentecost Novena - Day 4
Acts 19:1-8, Psalm 68:2-7, John 16:29-33
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/050508.shtml
"REALLY?"
"Do you really believe?" —John 16:31
Jesus' disciples professed their faith by stating: "We are convinced that
You know everything. There is no need for anyone to ask You questions. We
do indeed believe You came from God" (Jn 16:30). Jesus responded with the
question: "Really?" When we profess our faith, does Jesus respond "Amen"
or "Really?" Do we mean what we say or are we self-deceived?
The human heart is tortuous, twisted, deceitful (Jer 17:9). The Holy
Spirit flees deceit (see Wis 1:5). Therefore, the human heart not only can
refuse to accept the Spirit, but even repel the Spirit. Because we cannot
please God without the Spirit (see Rm 8:8-9), our deceit and its effect on
the Spirit puts us in an impossible situation. Our only Hope is the Lord,
Who can change the most hardened, deceitful heart.
On this fourth day of the novena to the Holy Spirit, consecrate your life
to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Give Jesus everything, repent of your sins,
and ask Him to create in you a clean heart (Ps 51:12). The Sacred Heart of
Jesus will cleanse your heart from deceit and give you a new heart (see Ez
36:26). With this new and clean heart, you will not repel the Holy Spirit
but embrace Him. You will mean what you say and no longer deceive yourself
or others.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. Prepare our hearts to receive the
Spirit!
Prayer: Father, may I let Mary lay bare the thoughts of my heart (Lk 2:35)
to prepare for Jesus to change my heart.
Promise: "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. There
were in the company about twelve men in all." —Acts 19:6-7
Praise: Mark had thought himself a believer in Christ until he faced a
family crisis and then he really began to understand the depths of God's
love.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my
permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from April
1, 2008 through May 31, 2008
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, October 23, 2007
The rescript 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 ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or
statements expressed.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB
eBook edition, and an online donation form at
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright © 2008 Presentation Ministries
To add your e-mail address to this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp
To remove your e-mail address from this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp?mode=r
No comments:
Post a Comment