over and out
"No sooner had He said this than He was lifted up before their eyes in a cloud which took Him from their sight." —Acts 1:9
Before Jesus went up, He told us to go out, "even to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). Therefore, after Jesus' ascension, when the disciples stood looking up at the skies, the Lord sent two messengers to tell them to stop stargazing and start working (Acts 1:10-11). When Jesus comes back, He wants to find us busy, reaching out, and proclaiming His gospel (see Lk 12:42).
However, many Christians are "couch potatoes." We may not be looking up, but neither are we looking out. Rather we're looking at our TVs, as life passes us by. Many Christians are lethargic, inactive, and sleepwalking. To spread the gospel to the ends of the earth, we need the miracle of Pentecost. We need to be sent out by the power of the Spirit. We need to sit praying in the upper room until we are so filled with the Spirit that we can't stay seated any longer.
In this next week, continue to pray the first and greatest novena, the novena to the Holy Spirit. You will receive the Spirit's power, which is "like the strength He showed in raising Christ from the dead and seating Him at His right hand in heaven" (Eph 1:19-20). Come, Holy Spirit!
Prayer: "May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, grant you a spirit of wisdom and insight to know Him clearly. May He enlighten your innermost vision" (Eph 1:19-20).
Promise: "See, I send down upon you the Promise of My Father." —Lk 24:48-49
Praise: Praise Jesus, Who ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father!
Rescript: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 16, 2006
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