PRE-PENTECOST
FRIDAY.
EXPECTATION OF THE HOLY GHOST. I.
I.
After the Apostles had witnessed the ascension of their Lord and Master into heaven, they returned to the city, and, assembling in one room, prepared themselves by continual prayer and fervent acts of devotion, for the reception of the Holy Ghost. "All these," says St. Luke, "were persevering with one mind in prayer with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brethren." (Acts. 1:14) Learn from their conduct that the dispositions requisite for the receiving of the Holy Ghost, are: 1. Retirement from noise and profane company. 2. Perseverance in prayer. 3. Concord, and union of mind. 4. The company of the Blessed Virgin.
II.
If Christ wished His Apostles to prepare themselves in this manner for the reception of the Holy Ghost, how much more necessary is it for those who have embraced the same vocation to remain in solitude and retirement, and to prepare themselves by the continual contemplation of divine things for their office until "they be endued with power from on high"? (Luke 24:49) Imitate the fervor of the Apostles in preparing yourself for the reception of the Divine Spirit. Pray with the Royal Penitent: "Create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew a right spirit within my bowels," (Ps. 50:12) and be convinced that no one can be saved, without the influence of the Holy Ghost.
III.
The coming of the Divine Spirit was delayed ten days in order that we might learn to expect with patience the coming of the Lord, whose presence in our souls, though of short duration, will abundantly recompense every delay. "God by delaying," observes the pious St. Augustine, "increases our desire; by our desiring, He enlarges our hearts, and makes them more capacious."
PENTECOST EVE.
EXPECTATION OF THE HOLY GHOST. II.
I.
Consider the causes which induced the Divinity to communicate the Holy Ghost to mankind. The first was the infinite goodness of God: "Whoso loved the world, as to give His only begotten Son." (John 3:15) Although the world had treated this only begotten Son so ill, God nevertheless for our advantage was determined to send the Holy Ghost "to teach us all truth." (John 16:13) The second cause was the prayers and merits of Christ. "I will ask the Father," he says, "and He shall give you another Paraclete." (John 14:16) The third motive was to perfect the work of our redemption by bestowing on us the gifts of His divine grace, thus enabling us to obtain heaven.
II.
Nothing can be more excellent or divine than this gift, for it is nothing less than God Himself. "The charity of God is poured out into our hearts, by the Holy Ghost, Who is given to us." (Rom. 5:5) With Himself, therefore, He gives us all good things, for the Holy Ghost is, as the Church sings, "the bestower of gifts, and the light of our hearts." "He that believeth in me (as the Scripture saith), out of His belly shall flow rivers of living water. Now this He said of the Spirit, which they should receive, who believed in Him." (John 7:39)
III.
To whom is this Divine Spirit given? First, to poor, illiterate fishermen; for God is the Father of the poor, "and His communication is with the simple." (Prov. 3:32) Secondly, He is given to all faithful souls, who fervently desire this gift. "I will pour out My spirit upon all flesh," says God, by the Prophet Joel. (Joel 2:28) Pray therefore, with a fervent desire, and prepare yourself worthily, in order that this Divine Guest may come and abide with you forever.