Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter
(Acts 19:1-8; John 16:29-33)
The paintings of Alice Dalton Brown stand out for their airiness and lightness. A typical illustration shows a window through which pours sunlight on top and a sturdy wind at its opened bottom. Outside is pictured a pool of water. More than likely the painter is portraying the Holy Spirit that comes in Baptism to enlighten our minds to know Jesus and moves our hearts to love him.
In the reading from Acts today Paul meets some disciples who do not know the Holy Spirit. It has been speculated that these people followed Jesus before he went to Jerusalem that last and fateful time. They realize the need for repentance as Jesus preached. But they lack the grace of the Holy Spirit which turns the need into an unquenchable desire to delve more deeply into relationship with the Lord. Paul, of course, does not allow them to tarry longer. He imparts the Spirit so that they may know the fulfillment of life in Jesus.
It is not impossible that we are like those disciples who do not know the Holy Spirit. Yes, the Spirit has entered into our lives, but have we taken notice of his presence? We have to pray that he touch us again – very deeply this time – that we experience the fullness that Jesus promises his disciples.
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