Grace to you and Happy Feast of the Pentecost!

​Permit me to begin today's reflection with a famous story about a renowned Geometrician. Plutarch, a Greek Philosopher, narrated it. 
 
At the peak of the discovery of the science of mathematics among the Greeks, a prominent Geometrician of the Pythagorean school bragged of his ability to make any figure, no matter how crooked or twisted, stand at an upright position. All it takes, he claimed, was getting the proper right angel combination (90 degrees) and harmonizing it with gravity. He achieved much success in doing this, until a particular day when a smart student challenged him to make a corpse to stand erect.
 
The great geometrician did not see any difficulty in doing this. He started by trying various balancing schemes, experimenting with different postures, and exploring all possible combinations of angles. Under normal circumstances, these should give 90 degrees; therefore, make the dead body stand erect. He compassed, for example, 45/45, 50/40, 89/1, 70/20, but it was all a failure. He tried again and again, all to no avail. At last, he threw in the towel with the exclamation: "I do not know what is wrong with this figure; there seems to be something missing on the inside."
 
The acknowledgment of this geometrician and his submission of his limitations are didactic. Imagine a human being without a soul—that spiritual principle, which is the subject of our consciousness and freedom. It would be unthinkable, because, without the soul, all we see is a dead body. Hence, even one of the greatest mathematicians of ancient times couldn't make "life" in the dead body. The dead can't stand on their own. Only those alive could stand, walk, choose, and act. We can become the best we are called to be on earth, and as the Psalmist says, "praise God" because we are alive to do so.
 
The French spiritual writer, Dom Jean-Baptiste Chautard (1858-1935), wrote his classic, The Soul of the Apostolate. In it, he invites us to take the Interior Life, the life of the Spirit seriously. He was equally alluding to the presence of the Spirit of Christ, the Holy Spirit, in the Church. The Holy Spirit is the "soul of the apostolate" for good reasons. Through the Holy Spirit, Christ, with God the Father, continues to abide in the Church. One can't imagine a church not being led by the Holy Spirit.   
 
The coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost was to commission the Church and all members of the Church to become “missionary disciples,” using the phrase of Pope Francis. So we become witnesses of the Risen Lord to all. Hence, on Pentecost Day, the Church was born, a Church whose primary vocation on earth is to evangelize. As Pope Paul VI emphasized, “Evangelizing is, in fact, the grace and vocation proper to the Church, her deepest identity" (Pope Evangelii Nuntiandi, 14). 
 
The Holy Spirit is the livewire of the Church, the soul of virtuous/spiritual life. And today, we celebrate that memorable birthday of the Church on Pentecost. [For my reflection on the significance of the Pentecost, please read the reflection following this one]. 
 
At Pentecost, souls dead in sin are revived; a new encounter that makes us stand upright as disciples of Jesus Christ is witnessed. At Pentecost, a timid person, like Peter, who denied Jesus three times when his courageous confession was most needed (John 18:25-27), becomes a bold preacher before a multitude. The Holy Spirit breaks the barriers of fear, insecurity, and cowardice.
 
At Pentecost, a withdrawn, insecure, and shy apostolic community, locked up in the upper room (Acts 1:13ff), stood out in eloquence. They spoke in tongues and testified boldly about the wonders of the Risen Lord. They became evangelizers (Acts 2ff). The Holy Spirit makes the Church a bold vanguard of the truth, and believers, audacious emissaries of the Good News.
 
At Pentecost, there were miracles, healing, and deliverance. In the same way, the Holy Spirit goes on to do signs and wonders for those who welcome Him. "Taste and see that the Lord is good."
 
At Pentecost, the fire of love is kindled (Acts 2:3). The Holy Spirit shatters the shackles of hatred, exploitation, and unholy relationships. It promotes genuine love among people. Pure love for God and one another is by the Holy Spirit.
 
At Pentecost, the community is bonded in love, obedience, and eagerness to relive the Christ experience, and the Tower of Babel reality is upturned. No better explanation is given that men and women, from different tongues and nations, could speak one language of love, live in love, share from the same cup and participate at the same table (the Eucharist); if not, by the bonding impact of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit-lead-Church is a church wherein space, locality, or structures aren't a barrier. Rather, all become vehicles of orderliness through which the unity of faith and the bond of love blossom. As the Psalmist says, it's like olive branches around the table of the Lord (Ps 128:3).
 
Pray
Come Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of the faithful. Enkindle in us the fire of your love. Amen.  

God love you. God bless you.

​Fr. Maurice Emelu





[Pentecost Sunday A: Acts 2:1-11; I Cor 12:3B-7; 12-13; Jn 20:19-23]

​Grace to you and Happy Easter!
 
On this last day before the Sunday of Pentecost, let's reflect on gratitude as a beautiful response to the gifts.
 
Gratitude is a necessary expectation of any gift or gifts. There are many ways people say thank you. Thank you cards, text messages or emails, emojis, and mails. Others reciprocate gifts with yet another gift to the giver, while many give back by service. By so doing, the line of mutual gift-giving continues.
 
The story of the raising of Tabitha (Dorcas) from death by Saint Peter (Acts 9:31-42) is an example of how a generous heart that gives receives life in return. Giving back is a gesture of gratitude. 
 
Lack of gratitude can be the death of gift-giving and goodwill. You know how it feels when you spend time getting a gift for somebody, and the person does not say thank you. Or even if he does, you sense he wasn't sincere. It can hurt, can't it?
 
Let's not think it hurts the Holy Spirit if we do not reciprocate his gifts. What it does is disconnect us from the constant flow of gifts. 
 
See what I mean by understanding what "thank you" or gratitude would mean in the Holy Spirit's context. The coming of the Holy Spirit is to strengthen and empower us to bear witness to Christ. All the gifts enhance this central mission. The giftings are, therefore, an instrument for something. They are to promote the kingdom of God, which is grace and mercy through salvation in Christ, leading to the forming of the community of faith as the family of salvation. Hence, the receiver appreciates the gifts when they are used for the reason they have been given. It is gratitude 101.
 
The use of the gifts for the reason God gave them builds the community. In turn, the giver, the Holy Spirit strengthens and renews us—we begin to bear much fruit. Hence we have the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
 
Fruits of the Spirit are expressions of the life of gratitude in anyone when they receive the Holy Spirit and the gifts. Such fruits such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, purity, etc., as Saint Paul listed in Galatians 5:22-23, build us. They are a life of gratitude to God for all He has done for us. Fruits of the Holy Spirit enhance our spiritual growth as individuals.
 
Therefore, a true Novena to the Holy Spirit builds us in such a way as to bear fruits. In part, those fruits, God's gift, and grace, and our response to these gifts truly make us more like God. Or, rather, should I say, they make us God's special people, those living the life led by the Holy Spirit.
 
Meditation
As we come to the last day awaiting your renewing presence; Holy Spirit, remind me of the need to bear fruit, or should I say, harvest the fruit you give. I mean the fruit of joy so that my life will be that of joy, the fruit of love that I love as you love.
 
I need the fruit of happiness and peace so that I will be a steadfast instrument of peace and so that nothing will make me so sad as to lose hope and joy.
 
Grant me the fruit of kindness and mercy so that others will see in me the heart of God's kindness. 
 
Bless me with the fruit of forgiveness so that I will no longer hold on to hurts; instead, so that I may be free and set people free from hurts. 
 
I also ask for the fruit of truthfulness, so I will stamp out lies from all that I do and say.
Make me live with such gratitude so that everything I do will glorify you, the Father and the Son. Amen.
 
Pray
Oh, Holy Spirit, welcome into my heart. Make me an instrument of your love and grace. Use me. Lead me. Inspire me. Amen. May my life be a big Thank You to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. May it be another you in the community in which I live and work. Amen

Fr. Maurice Emelu
[Readings, Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter: Acts 9:31-42; John 6:60=69]

Grace to you!

I welcome you to Day 8 of our devotional to the Holy Spirit. I have been talking about gifts, traditional gifts of the Holy Spirit. Let us not suppose that those are all that the Holy Spirit can give. In the storehouse of the Lord, there are uncountable gifts. Whatever is good, whatever is pleasant, name it, it is in God's gift bag.
 
Who does not want more gifts? I do. You know how you feel during your festive times, such as anniversaries, birthdays, etc. People give you gifts. Always refreshing, isn’t it?  No-show, no gifts or a card at parties is discouraging. I tell you, the Holy Spirit isn’t a no-show, no gifts. He is always present, always giving more gifts.
 
In reality, his gifts are well designed, customized, personalized, and well-targeted for each individual for the common good and service (see I Corinthian 12:7; I Peter 4:10).
 
Thus we call those other, or additional gifts, charisms or charisma. There are charisms for administration and leadership in the Church and society. There are different sorts of charisms for vocational calls, and yet other charisms for building up the community's faith.
 
Those called and ordained as leaders of God's people receive the Holy Spirit charisms of administration, of hierarchy, as it is called. It's a unique charism of Church leadership. Paul's conversion and consequent commissioning (Acts 9:1-20) is a clear example of this gift of leadership and service in the Church. We call it Holy Orders. It's through Holy Orders that the food of angels, the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, a necessary aspect of new life in Christ (Jn 6:52-69), is made available to the faithful.
 
Those called for unique missions within the religious life or other distinctive communities receive a unique charism too, which is the spirituality of that congregation. It is what makes it different from others. You know the Holy Spirit is boundless in what He can give.
 
There are also charismatic gifts. These are without boundaries among the clergy, religious and laity. They do not depend on whether you are clergy or laity. For instance, Saint Paul gave examples of those charismatic (spiritual) gifts in 1 Corinthians 12 and 13.  His list does not exhaust what the Holy Spirit can provide to individuals. The list is endless because the Holy Spirit gives as the need arises.
 
When you receive these charisms, embrace them and use them. There is no need to be shy about what you have or to be arrogant about it. Use them responsibly and do not hinder the work of the Spirit. I know my gifts, and I am proud to use them for the gospel and service. There are freedom and joy in doing so. I hope you are proud of who you are in God and the gifts you have, or will receive.
 
Meditation
Oh, Holy Spirit, I understand that in your storehouse of blessings, you have more than enough gifts to give me. They are gifts appropriate for my unique mission in life.
 
Unfortunately for me, I do not adequately understand how your gifts work, or how to use them for service. I see my friends who manifest these gifts, but I erroneously think I don't have any. Even if I have, I am not sure what they are. I need discernment to discover my gifts.
 
Besides, you know what gifts fit me and what will bring me closer to you. I mean, what will build up my family, the Church and my community. Give me such gifts.
 
I don't want to mention which ones, because I believe that since you are all-knowing, you certainly know the gifts appropriate for me and what you want me to do.
 
Above all, you know that many times my mind is fixed on what I want or what I think I need, which may not necessarily be what you know I need. Since no gifts can come to me unless I open my hands to accept them, give me the grace of proper disposition for your gifts.
 
Pray
Oh, Holy Spirit, let me not be a stumbling block to your generosity. May my will be attuned to what you are doing. Let not prejudices due to abuses in the past from me, from others, even from your Church, make me unwilling to let you in my life. I pray for your grace of openness to your anointing grace. Amen.

 Continue the novena prayer Come Holy Spirit, Creator Blest by clicking here
 
God love you. God bless you.
 
Fr. Maurice Emelu
 

[Friday Easter Week 7: Acts 9:1-20; Jn 6:52-59]
 
 

Pentecost Novena Day 7
 
Grace to you, and Happy Easter!
 
Are you gradually settling in the right disposition to welcome the Holy Spirit? Recall we said at the beginning, it demands trust, the obedience of faith, and expectant faith. Our Lord Jesus had promised the Spirit and had asked us, as the Church, to expect His Renewing Presence. That expectation flows from a spirit of piety.
 
Piety describes a gift that makes a heart aligned all the time to godliness. Such a soul is pure, like that of a child, and sees things from God's perspective. It is a disposition of holiness. Anyone whose heart is of that quality is totally in love with God.  At the core of piety is love as strong as death. We do not create this love; the Holy Spirit grants it as well. In the classical spiritual theology of the Church from the scholastics, piety is a virtue of religion and reverence for holy things.
 
The Lord Jesus' long prayer in John 17, called Priestly Prayer of Jesus, shows how much he loved us and has willed that his love will abide with us. "I made known to them thy name, and I will make it known, that the love with which thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them" (Jn 17:26).
 
Don't you realize that the Church regards the Holy Spirit as the Love between God the Father and God the Son? So, when the Spirit fills our hearts, we are wrapped in that love, which is beyond all telling.
 
Saint Augustine, quoting Saint Paul, remarked, "The Holy Spirit pours the love of God in our hearts." The poured love manifests in different ways. It's on our face, in our hands, our gestures and our worship. It is in our relationships, indeed, in our thoughts and actions. Everything expresses that godliness, that love of God. It is piety. Don't you need this kind of love and devotion? I do.
 
Meditation
Oh, Holy Spirit, many times, the things of the world sap me of that constant awareness of God's presence. I slip. Sadly, I backslide. I become so worldly in my thoughts, words, and actions that I fail to perceive you, to feel your holy hands holding me, your voice speaking to me, and your wings carrying me. I am so engrossed in my will and control of situations that I elbow you out of the plan.
 
Holy Spirit, please give me the gift of Holy Innocence. It is that kind from the Holy Face of the Infant Jesus so that nothing will make me lose sight of your aroma of love ingrained in everything around me.
 
Vacuum out all the dirt in my spiritual senses so that I can enjoy the pleasant aroma of your presence around me. By so doing, I will loathe the repugnant smell of things that do not give you glory. May my spiritual senses be so pure that sin will be so awful and distasteful. Like nectar, may my aspirations be drawn to those things that give you glory, those things that bring joy, peace, and love to your people. Amen
 
May I also have deep awe of the Lord knowing that He is God, and I am His creature.  May the privilege of His adoption of me in Christ not cause me to disrespect Him, but to respond in pious gratitude.  Amen.
 
Pray: Oh, Holy Spirit, come and make my heart like that of a child—pure, simple, holy for God. Amen
 
Continue to pray Come Holy Spirit, Creator Blest by clicking here

God love you. God bless you.
 
Fr. Maurice Emelu
 
[Thursday, Easter Weekday 7:  Acts 22:30, 23:6-11; John 17:20-26]
 
 
 
 
 
 

Grace to you and Happy Easter!
 
I welcome you to Day 6 of the preparation for the celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit. I wonder what the disciples of Jesus must have been doing in the Upper Room during the sixth day of their prayers. Perhaps fatigue was already setting in since they had been fasting, living on bread and water alone or something like that, plus living under fear of the public opposed to their message, secluded and hiding in the Upper Room.
 
Are you getting tired? Try not to be, because the better part of the promise is yet to come. “When the night is darkest, the dawn is near.” The dawn of the Holy Spirit’s coming is underway, or should I way, it is near. Courage!
 
Today’s prayerful meditation to the Holy Spirit is on courage, what we know in traditional spirituality as the gift of fortitude. It is the gift which gives us the strength to overcome fear so that we can courageously do God’s will and live the life of joyful freedom.
 
I understand there are many reasons to be afraid, many things that can scare us. It is in our nature to be afraid of certain things.
 
You remember the time you came close to fire? Instinctively, your body shivers. Or that time something was thrown at you? The instinct of self-preservation, motivated by natural fear for harmful stuff, takes over.
 
Many times, we are afraid to take up some challenging tasks too. We don’t want to take risks, because often, risks are uncomfortable. How about spiritual adventures? Growth in spiritual life entails making some spiritual adventures. Those courageous enough to take risks live the life of greatness, achieve their potentials. The saints are the courageous.
 
However, we can’t cultivate courage. It’s a gift. In fact, it’s God’s gift, one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Thus, we need to ask for this gift.
 
In the prophecy of Zephaniah 3:16-18, we hear a message for Zion, a message applied to the Church as well. The message is about Emmanuel (Jesus Christ) dwelling with us, thereby being the source of our courage, strength and victory. Christ’s continuous presence in our midst is through his spirit, the Holy Spirit. Being open and attuned to Him is a spiritual bulwark.
 
Meditation
Oh Holy Spirit, I know I lack courage. In spite of good counsel, a wealth of knowledge of what to do for your glory and for the blessing of my neighbor, I lack the courage to do it.
 
Many times I start something, but I lack the perseverance to follow through to the end.  Like the parable told by our Lord Jesus Christ, I am like that man who starts a house or begins a war, but can’t finish.
 
I need courage. I need endurance. I need perseverance. I need integrity of character so that my yes will mean yes and my no will mean no. I don’t want to swing from one position to another simply because I lack the courage of standing by what I know, what my mind is telling me is the right thing to do.
 
When I reviewed the life of the early Church, I realized that those people, especially the disciples, locked themselves up in the Upper Room because of fear. However, when you came upon them, they broke the shackles of fear, and courageously testified to what they know.
 
Give me the same courage. It’s better for me to lead the life of freedom confident about myself, than trying to live a lie to please others.
 
Pray: Oh Holy Spirit, fill my heart with the same spirit of courage you gave the disciples.  Let my will be strengthened to long for what is good, true and beautiful for you, for my neighbor and for me. Amen.
 
Remember to continue the novena prayer Come Holy Spirit, Creator Blest by clicking here
 
God love you. God bless you.
 
Fr. Maurice Emelu
 
 
 
 

 Grace to you and Happy Easter!
 
Did you pray for wisdom yesterday? I prayed for it because I need more of it each day.
 
On this Day 5 of our novena, how about we meditate on counsel? It is a unique gift that helps us speak the right words at appropriate times. Not only do we need the gift of counsel for ourselves, but we also need it for others. It's a gift of service. How pleasant it can be for someone to say, "I like listening to you because your words edify and show the way in the dark."
 
Meditation
Oh, Holy Spirit, the Love of the Father and the Son. You were called the Paraclete, one who is called in to defend or plead my cause. You do so, not only by speaking the right words in the best possible way. You come in at the right time too. You never let me down.
 
You plead my cause–like the Son, against all condemnatory accusations from the enemy of my salvation. You come in to remedy a crumbling situation by the force of your presence and love. Your presence alone is consoling and revitalizing.
 
You are the counsel—directing the Church through the thick and thin of turbulent times.  I remember when our Lord and Savior encouraged us to be of good cheer, never anxious, because you will tell us what to say at the right time (see Mt 10:19). Yes! I believe it. I know it's true.
 
I know too that Christ will continue to be glorified in the life of believers (Jn 17:10-11) if you dwell with us as the Lord promised. 
 
Oh, Holy Spirit, help me with the gift of counsel. I need it not only for me but also for my family, the Church, the community, and all around me. I believe with it, I can offer sound advice to those desperately in need of it.
 
There are many in need of spiritual and emotional support. How can I help if your grace of counsel isn't with me? I need this gift, oh, Lord.
 
I need, too, to be blessed by counseling words in my down moments. The saying quoted by our Lord, "Doctor cure yourself," is correct. All my life, I have not seen one who was the best counselor of himself or herself. Second opinions—reasonable, holy, and appropriate counselors are also needed.
 
During the time I need them most, may I receive from you good voices that would inspire me. Those who come in to say that word, beam that smile or extend a handshake that would be as consoling, strengthening, and enlightening to me because they flow from you.
 
May there also be more of such people in the dark, confused world. May your Church be blessed with more and more ministers of your counsel and consolation. Holy Spirit, I don't even know what I am saying. However, I know and believe you hear the groans of my heart.
 
Pray: Come, Holy Spirit. I need you. We need you. Speak your word of direction when we are at a crossroads. Amen.
 
Continue the novena prayer Come Holy Spirit, Creator Blest by clicking here
 
God love you. God bless you.
 
Fr. Maurice Emelu
 
 
 
 

 
Grace to you and Happy Easter!

I welcome you to Day 4 of the Novena to the Holy Spirit. On this particular day of grace, let's ask the Lord Jesus Christ to gift us with wisdom.
 
Meditation
Oh, Holy Spirit, I know you are the giver of wisdom. I know the Son is Divine Logos—Divine Wisdom, the one who was with the Father even before the world was made (see Proverbs 8:22). I need the gift of wisdom.
 
I must confess that I can't fully comprehend the depth of your revelation. I am working towards it, thanks to your gift of understanding. I need the wisdom to deepen my knowledge and understanding, especially in setting the right priorities.
 
Our world is becoming more and more complicated. For you, I know it isn't, because, with wisdom, nothing is complicated. But for me, there are so many things going on around me—bills, workload, anxiety, domestic problems, the fast pace of things, no thanks to an instant gratification culture. Sometimes I'm overwhelmed. The mound of information that I have to deal with is making life too cumbersome. The complicated world of technology, computers, complex economic system, weird world of entertainment, wants, demands, and supply add to the load. All these and many more are sometimes overwhelming. They contribute to making it more challenging to prioritize.
 
How can I see things in their right perspectives without you? Looking from your Seat of Wisdom, I know these things look to you like a few lines, and you see how they are connected. You know the chaff and the substance, and you know how to separate the two. The opposite is my pitiable state; I don't always discern the difference.
 
Often, because I do not know the difference, I pursue the shadow. In the end, I waste my precious time in things that are not relevant while the relevant I skip.
 
I need your wisdom to see things as they should be seen. I need the wisdom to observe things as they should be observed. It will help me to place all the noisy, clashing worldly interests and cares—fame, money, enjoyment, everything—in their right perspectives.
 
It’s your wisdom that can reconnect me with the innocence that was destroyed by Original Sin. May I receive that grace of wisdom, so my heart, reconfigured to the Son Jesus Christ, can see with purity how God sees.
 
Your wisdom is the power of common sense. Many times I seem not to understand what that means anymore. I need more common sense, to make sense of the world around me.
 
Also, wisdom will help me know the other gifts you have given me and understand why and how you want them to be used.  I simply want to do your will.
 
Pray: With the Church, I pray, "Lord, let your wisdom be with me to help me and to work with me." Amen

Remember to continue the novena prayer Come Holy Spirit, Creator Blest by clicking here
 
God love you. God bless you.
 
Fr. Maurice Emelu

[Monday Week 7]
 
 
 
 

 Grace to you!
 
On this Day 3 of the Novena to the Holy Spirit, we ask for the grace of understanding. 
 
Faith seeking understanding is a famous quote from Saint Anselm. Understanding doesn't come that easy, not merely by our handwork alone but by the Holy Spirit's grace. The Spirit opens our minds, our intellect so we can penetrate the revealed truths about God and the things in the world. The gift of understanding makes simple and more apparent, indeed relational, what is complex. Don't we need that gift to see better the path God has set for us in our relationship with Him?
 
Likewise, we need the gift of understanding to make the right decisions to know what is essential and what isn't. A better understanding of the world and the environment in which we live helps us live peacefully and happily in the world. Gift of understanding also affords us many blessings of emotional intelligence in which we grow in the awareness of ourselves, our environment, and the people with whom we relate.
 
Similarly, the gift of understanding helps us to have a healthy relationship with one another, especially those who are difficult. Empathy grows from the gift of understanding too. How much we need this gift today.
 
 
Meditation
 
As I ask to know you, Lord Jesus, more, bless me to understand what I know. I wish to understand things that I should. It will enable me to judge better things, events, news, and the world around me.
 
Oh, Holy Spirit, many times, I read the word of the Son in Scripture, and I don't seem to understand. Many times, I read holy and spiritual books from your saints, and they seem over my head. Is it because of my poor education or lack of ability to understand the words? How about gifting me with the same gift you gave to people like Saint John Mary Vianney. He hardly passed his exams, yet you made him understand your word and other people's words in a profound way. He had a profound intuition into things.
 
Holy Spirit, permit me to make one more request. How about blessing me, too, with other gifts, charisma, connected with the gifts of knowledge and understanding? I mean those charisms that will deepen my knowledge and understanding for me to be of more service for your people and the Church. I need your word of knowledge and wisdom and your word of understanding. These serve the need of my community, as well.
 
I desire that the gifts you give will be for service and not for my self-interest. I believe that when your gifts, Oh Holy Spirit, are used well, they help to promote your kingdom on earth. Your name is glorified too. The fruits you give will flourish in my life, as well.
 
Pray: Oh, Holy Spirit, open my mind to understand your revelations. May I comprehend my place in the plan so I may glorify the Trinity by my words and my deeds. Amen

Remember to continue the novena prayer Come Holy Spirit, Creator Blest by clicking here
 
God love you. God bless you.
 
Fr. Maurice Emelu

 Grace to you, and Happy Easter!
 
We have journeyed through six weeks of the Resurrection. During this last (seventh) week of Easter, the Church invites us to reflect on (and do) what the early Church, the first witnesses of the Resurrection did, namely, to keep a novena. See how Acts of the Apostles 1:14 describes it: "All these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the Mother of Jesus, and with his brethren."
 
The right disposition in this last week of the celebration of Easter is to keep a novena. We know “the devout prayer” of the disciples numbering about one hundred and twenty people, lasted for nine days before the Holy Spirit came on the Pentecost. Hence, we have the name novena prayer. Novena is from Latin, which means nine. 
 
Mother Mary, the Holy Spirit's spouse, who was with the apostles and disciples during the first Christian novena, will accompany us in our prayer. Journeying with her is the best.
 
In John 17, the Lord Jesus prayed intensely. This prayer is called “the Priestly Prayer” of Jesus. Unlike the Lord’s Prayer, during which the Lord showed us how to pray, this prayer is the actual dialogue between Jesus and the Father. 
 
According to The Navarre Bible Commentary on Saint John’s Gospel (2005), the Priestly Prayer comprises three parts. The first part (1–5) contains Jesus' prayer for "the glorification of his holy human nature and the acceptance, by the Father of his sacrifice on the cross." The second part (vv. 6–19) is the Lord's Prayer for his disciples, the future witnesses to his glory. The Lord's prayer for the unity of believers is the last part (vv. 20–26).  
 
In describing the importance of this prayer of Jesus, Saint Augustine reminds us it is also about the Lord showing us how to pray. Prayer, therefore, is an essential aspect of our spiritual life. The Church gathered in assembly is the Church united to pray, anointed and inspired by the Holy Spirit. 
 
During the first novena to the Holy Spirit, the early believers were united in prayer. Then the Holy Spirit visited them as a Church. Recall the Lord tells us where two or three are gathered in his name, he will be there in their midst (Mt 18:20).
 
Our prayers are most effective if we invite the Holy Spirit to accompany us as we pray because He is the one who knows God's mind (1 Cor 2:11). This Spirit is of unity and peace. His coming is to bring order and peace to humans who are not fully living in the grace of glory. God's glory is manifested when we are "fully living." As one of the foremost theologians of the Church, Saint Irenaeus, stated: "Gloria Dei est vivens homo” (The Glory of God is a living man).
 
As we continue the novena to the Holy Spirit, we pray that the Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier, may fill our hearts with the Love of the Father and the Son. May He revitalize the graces we have been given so we will be truly aglow for God. Amen.
 
God love you. God bless you. 
 
Fr. Maurice Emelu 
 
[Seventh Sunday of Easter: Acts 1:12-14; 1 Pt 4:13-16; Jn 17:1-14A]

 Grace to you, and Happy Easter! 
 
I welcome you to Day 2 of our Pentecost Novena. I hope you spent some time dusting your heart of some of those worries that distract from focusing on this special Gift of God to us—the Holy Spirit.
 
Yesterday, we learned how to be open to Jesus Christ. Simply trust him. He is the giver of the gifts. He is not going to force us. He needs us to generously open our hearts so the fountain of His generosity, His promised Gift, the Holy Spirit, will fill our thirsty souls.
 
Consider who the Holy Spirit is and what the Gift means for us. In the prophecy of Isaiah 11:1-3, we hear of the seven traditional gifts of the Holy Spirit—wisdom, knowledge, understanding, counsel, fortitude, piety, and awe of the Lord.
 
If you meditated on the poem Veni Creator Spiritus, which I recommended we pray yesterday (and every day as this novena evolves), you would have asked for these gifts. These gifts mean so much in our spiritual life, and desiring them is a way to go during this novena. We pray today specifically for knowledge. 
 
Meditation
 
O, Holy Spirit! A friend like no one else, the counselor, and the consoler, I turn to you because I acknowledge I don't know much. Yes, I have read a lot about you, the Father and the Son. I have been through many classes of religious formation to know more about God and deepen my faith. Yet, I still don't seem to connect the dots.
 You are deeper than anything one could fully understand. Nevertheless, you alone can satisfy my yearnings.  
 
I feel that my brain, mind, and intellect are like a filter. I get excited at some information, and then, a few steps away, they seem gone like the wind. I need to be equipped with the gift of knowledge. I believe you want me to know. Such knowledge will help me make informed decisions and choices for your glory and the service of my neighbor.
 
 
Oh, Holy Spirit! This knowledge of yours, from you and for you, will help me too in my life in society, shining the light for everyone to see.
 
Pray: Come, Holy Spirit. Fill my heart with the knowledge of you, the Father, and the Spirit. Let me know as I am known. Amen.
 
God love you. God bless you.
 
Continue the novena prayer Come Holy Spirit, Creator Blest, by clicking here.
 
Fr. Maurice Emelu
  
[Saturday after Ascension: Acts 18:23-28; Jn 16:23-28]