Today we pray for the grace to be amazed by the Holy Spirit, to be amazed by the power of God.
Acts of the Apostles 2 describes how the crowd is amazed during Pentecost, after Peter comes out and proclaims Jesus is risen. One reason is that the crowd was a very diverse group from all over the region, speaking different languages, and in that moment, there was a unity. There was a togetherness. The crowd was amazed by this—that Peter was speaking and each one of the individuals was hearing Peter in their native language.
But it wasn’t just that they were amazed at what took place in Peter, because they knew Peter. Peter was the one who had denied Jesus three times: “I don’t even know the guy.” A little girl comes up and says, Peter, weren’t you with Him? Peter said, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t even know Him. Peter, who they knew as a rash, emotional man, comes out of the Upper Room and there’s something about him that’s changed. There’s a sense of power about him. Acts 2 uses the words – power and fire and a strong driving wind. Scripture says the crowd was amazed.
When was the last time God amazed you? I fully believe that the Holy Spirit wants to amaze us. But if we’re honest, we don’t expect Him to do that. We don’t look to God to amaze us. Honestly, we don’t expect God to do much. Sadly then, we get exactly what we expect.
When you go to Mass on Sunday, do you expect something to happen that’s going to radically change your life? Has that been your experience? Has it been your experience of a God who is intervening in your life? He’s not just distant. He’s not just some power or some force. Rather, He is an intimate, close, personal God who amazes us.
I don’t think we’re amazed because, if we’re really honest, we’re not positive God is going to do great things. We think He is the guy in the Bible – not today. The reality is, so often I think we put God in a box and say, “This is who He is.” Maybe we even think He may do great things for other people, but not for me. He may free other people from their brokenness and heal them, but not me. He may free other people from sinful behaviors or addictions, but not me. He may forgive their sins, but not mine.
I believe that God doesn’t amaze us because we don’t ask Him to amaze us. If we’re honest, we don’t expect Him to do great things.
But I believe today the Holy Spirit wants to move upon us, and He wants to amaze us. Amaze us by His power, amaze us by His presence, amaze us by His grace. If we only give God permission, just imagine that for a moment. God, I give You permission to amaze me, to shatter my expectations, to open up a whole new world to me, a world filled by Your grace and Your Holy Spirit.
When was the last time God amazed you? For me – just last night at a Flame of Love Eucharistic Adoration and Rosary. He filled me with consolations and affirmations, bringing tears to my eyes in the moment.
Many times, the Holy Spirit amazes us but we don’t noticed or maybe we do noticed but quickly forget. My book (I Knew His Voice) and my journals remind me of those overwhelming moments of God’s amazing actions in my life. I focus on the moments God fills the world around me with His power and fire and strong driving wind. And I strive to remember each.
When was the last time God amazed you?
Let God amaze us.