Opening Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit, and fill the hearts of your faithful! Come, Holy Spirit and “Refresh my heart in Christ” (Philem20).
Like the apostles, I am awaiting your coming by devoting myself to prayer (cfr.Acts1:14). May these days dispose my heart to receive you, as the apostles received you in the Upper Room and then set out to manifest your greatness “…to the end of the earth (Acts1:8).
In a special way I ask that you help me with this particular intention: ______. Please fill my soul with all that I need.
Come Holy Spirit! Rush like a mighty wind into my heart and appear like blazing fire within my soul (cfr.Acts2:2-3)! Amen.

Reflection

If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! (Lk11:13).
God is not the image of man. Man was made to be the image of God and therefore the goodness of man reflects the goodness of God, although in a limited and foggy manner. God’s goodness is infinitely brighter and more generous than that of a human father. It may be hard for us who “…are evil” to believe it, but God the Father wants to give us his greatest gift: his Son, through the Holy Spirit. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son…” (Jn3:16). “…so that they world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” (Jn17:22-23). It is true: the Father loves the world and wants that we live in and with his Son.

All that the Father requires of us is that we ask for this great gift with the simple humility of a small child. He makes it easier than we can believe: “Ask and it will be given you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Lk11:9). There is no required payment. There is no need proof. Before he bestows his great gift, God doesn’t demand previous acts that would show our worth. The Father only asks that we ask, seek and knock. “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened” (Lk11:10). If we ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit it will most certainly be given. God is Father and what good father would deny his son a gift he most desperately needs? “…no one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit” (1Cor12:3). “…apart from me you can do nothing” (Jn15:5).

Concluding Petitions to the Holy Spirit

Come, Holy Spirit and inflame my heart!
Come, Counselor from on High and lead me into the truth!
Come, Spirit of Holiness and make me holy!
Come, Spirit of Love and teach me to love!
Holy Spirit, strengthen within me the gift of wisdom.
Holy Spirit, strengthen within me the gifts of knowledge and understanding.
Holy Spirit, strengthen within me the gifts of counsel and piety.
Holy Spirit, strengthen within me the gifts of fortitude and fear of the Lord.
Holy Spirit, bear within me the fruits of charity and joy.
Holy Spirit, bear within me the fruits of peace and patience.
Holy Spirit, bear within me the fruits of kindness and goodness.
Holy Spirit, bear within me the fruits of generosity and gentleness.
Holy Spirit, bear within me the fruits of faithfulness and modesty.
Holy Spirit, bear within me the fruits of self-control and chastity.

Spirit of God, may your power of mercy and love fill me and lead me deeper into the mystery of our Lord’s Heart. Come Holy Spirit and create within me a new heart!
Amen.

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