Would you have the courage and the assurance to yell at a person in a wheelchair: "Stand up! On your feet!"? (Acts 14:10) By that bold command, Paul healed a crippled man who had never walked a step in his life (Acts 14:8).

Paul didn't always have such boldness. For example, for several days, he put up with the disruptive behavior of a girl with a clairvoyant spirit (Acts 16:16). "Finally Paul became annoyed, turned around, and said to the spirit, 'In the name of Jesus Christ I command you, come out of her!' Then and there the spirit left her" (Acts 16:18). Sometimes it took Paul days to give the command that would heal and deliver.

The Holy Spirit confirms us in our faith so we can act in Jesus' name authoritatively, boldly, and freely. The Spirit helps us pray and listen to our Father (Rm 8:26). We're in touch with Him; we know what we're doing; we have reason to be bold. The Spirit also teaches us the Bible (Jn 14:26), so we know what belongs to us, what we have to put up with, and what we don't have to put up with.

When we know God's Word, the devil can't get away so easily with robbing us. We know enough to claim our inheritance. Finally, the Spirit empowers us to obey. When we're under His authority, we're in authority over the evil one. During this Easter, let the Spirit make you bold.

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 27, 2005

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