Approximately Eleven hundred days, that is the number of days that the disciples spent with the most amazing man to ever walk the face of the earth.
More importantly, they got to know the man. I’m sure you can imagine how it would feel to know that someone you have grown close to, someone you have grown to truly love is going away. I know I would be confused, concerned, worried, I would also feel curious about how it would change, my life and how I would feel about the changes. I’m guessing that is how the twelve felt.
The good news however is Jesus’ promise of the coming advocate, the Holy Spirit. As He said in today’s Gospel, “For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.”
I truly believe the Holy Spirit is an overlooked treasure and gift from God we don’t turn to enough. He is always there for us, we simply need to turn to Him and ask for the assistance of the Holy Spirit. We need to find ways to be filled with the Holy Spirit everyday of our lives.
The first novena in the Catholic Church was created at the request of Jesus Himself. Jesus asked His mother Mary and the, eleven to pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit. So they started daily prayer on Ascension Thursday and completed their prayer nine days later on Pentecost Sunday, when the Holy Spirit came down to the disciples. I present myself and all of you with the same challenge that Christ handed down. Pray the Novena to the Holy Spirit, prepare for His coming.
Jesus said, “For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.”
Inspired by the Holy Spirit, on the day of Pentecost, the twelve put together the Apostles Creed. Through this profession of faith there is a sentence that best explains the message that Jesus wants us to know…
He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
