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He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.
We tend not to accept this testimony. We don't always believe that God is trustworthy. Or we aren't sure that we are really hearing his words through the one he sent to speak them, and through his body the Church. Without this trust in God we default to a scarcity mindset. We think he does ration the gift of the Spirit because it seems like there isn't enough to go around. We are jealous of the gifts of others and overly protective of our own because we feel constrained by these perceived limits.
But God is trustworthy. We can and do hear him speaking to us through his word, through the Church, and through Tradition. The Father has given everything over to the Son who longs to pour it out without limit on us. Do we get it yet? The only limits on God are the ones we place on him. If we can overcome these we can expect to be amazed by what he does. Mary was the greatest example of what can happen. She opened herself to the limitless way in which God wanted to pour himself out in her life.
For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her (see Luke 1:37-38)
Even on a human level we aren't as frugal or stingy with gifts to those whom we love, so "how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (see Luke 11:13). Jesus did not come so that we would live in fear that we wouldn't have enough. He said "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly" (see John 10:10).
Isn't this abundance of God exactly what the Apostles learned, even learned viscerally, at Pentecost? It was exactly this experiential confidence in God that changed everything for them. It changed them from doubters and deniers, from fearful men cowering together in hiding, into bold evangelists.
“We must obey God rather than men.
The God of our ancestors raised Jesus,
though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree.
God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior
to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins.
We are witnesses of these things,
as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.
The Apostles could say these things because they knew there was no limit on the Spirit. The Spirit himself was there and witnessing, working together with them to confirm there words.
Where in our lives do we fear that we will not have enough? Where do we still need to be convinced that God does not ration his gift of the Spirit. This is a gift that fills not only special and spiritual moments of our lives. That is still scarcity mentality. He wants to fill every aspect of our lives so that we can always have confidence in him.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;
blessed the man who takes refuge in him.
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