There is Much Work to Be Done

He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for “the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak; for John baptized with water, but in a few day you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit”  Acts 1: 3-4

…. you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1: 8

He asked them to bring a scattered people together in unity. His ministry was one of forgiveness and love, of binding wounds in the hearts and minds of people that had suffered much too long.

Jesus, the Divinity of God wanted then, and wants now to bring humanity to God. 1

And just as he told his apostles …“Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.” He asks you and me, to do the same today.

“…why do you stand here looking into the sky?” 

This was the question posed to the apostles as they watched Jesus ascend into the heavens….

At that moment what else could they do?  Their eyes clinging to the swirling morning mist that had enveloped him…the risen one, the Hope.2

They looked into the sky because it had taken him away. Would that same sky bring him back?

Could they wait and watch that sky forever?

No, there was so much work to be done.

So, the apostles gather themselves together, along with Mary, into an upper room, and they prayed.

They prayed for wisdom and understanding.

They prayed for knowledge and courage.

They prayed for great reverence and awe of their mighty God.

And all these things for which they prayed were given to them by the Holy Spirit.

The novena in honor of the Holy Spirit is the oldest of all novenas since it was first made at the direction of Our Lord Himself when He sent His apostles back to Jerusalem to await the coming of the Holy Spirit on the first Pentecost. It is still the only novena officially prescribed by the Church. Addressed to the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, it is a powerful plea for the light and strength and love so sorely needed by every Christian.3

This novena begins today.

 Our Lady Queen of Peace gave this message to the visionaries in Medjugore on June 2, 1984 

"Dear children! Tonight I wish to tell
you during the days of this novena to pray for the outpouring of
the Holy Spirit on your families and on your parish. Pray, and
you shall not regret it. God will give you gifts by which you
will glorify Him till the end of your life on this earth. Thank
you for having responded to my call."

1.Fr.Robert Barron

2.Miryam of Nazareth, Woman of Strength & Wisdom  

3.Novena to the Holy Spirit for Seven Gifts