LOVING TO HAVE THE SPIRIT - One Bread, One Body, 5/17/2009

Sunday, May 17, 2009, Sixth Sunday of Easter

Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48, 1 John 4:7-10, Psalm 98, John 15:9-17
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/051709.shtml

LOVING TO HAVE THE SPIRIT

"Peter had not finished these words when the Holy Spirit descended upon
all who were listening." —Acts 10:44

If someone whispered the name "Jesus" to you, would that trigger a
movement of the Holy Spirit in your life? Cornelius and his family were so
open to the Holy Spirit that, when Peter merely began to talk about Jesus,
they were baptized in the Spirit, spoke in tongues, and glorified God
(Acts 10:44-46). Few of us are as open to the Spirit as Cornelius.
However, we can become more open to the Spirit by praying, hearing God's
word, and repenting of our sin. In these ways, the Lord opened His
disciples to the Spirit at the first Pentecost. He will open us to the
Spirit in the same ways.

However, most of us have made good resolutions before. Maybe before last
Pentecost we resolved to pray as never before, but we didn't persevere.
Some of us have been putting off going to Confession. To many of us, the
Bible is still a closed book, although we tried several times to get into
God's word. How can we expect to prepare for Pentecost this year after
having failed so many other years?

This year, ask the Lord to open your eyes to recognize those people for
whom He has given you a special grace to love. Ask the Lord to help you
realize that you will never be able to love these people as you want
unless you let the Holy Spirit be much more active in your life. Motivated
by love (2 Cor 5:14), you will do what God wants you to do in preparing
for Pentecost.

Prayer: Father, use the love You have given me to open me in a radical way
to the Spirit of love.

Promise: "As the Father has loved Me, so I d you. Live on in My
love." —Jn 15:9

Praise: Praise the risen Jesus, Who spoke the name "Mary" with so much
love, she knew her beloved Lord had risen! (Jn 20:16)

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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, 2009 through May 31, 2009
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, October 3, 2008

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.

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