Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.--Psalm 40:5
Mass readings: Malachi 3:13-20 / Luke 11:5-13
Earlier this year I volunteered to teach the Confirmation class at our parish. I was more than a little impressed that week after week, almost two dozen 16- and 17-year-olds showed up for class. What they, and their parents, were doing over all those months was exactly what Jesus talks about in today's Gospel: asking the Father in heaven to give them the Holy Spirit. And, of course, in the sacrament of Confirmation, He does just that.
The class, and today's Gospel, are a good reminder that, even if we've been confirmed, we need to keep asking the Father for the Holy Spirit and the Spirit's gifts of wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, piety, fortitude and fear of the Lord.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, help me better use the gifts You've given me.