Clothed with the Power from on High

And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high." Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them.
While he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven. And they returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God. Luke 24:49-53.

I find it interesting that the least known and perhaps the most denied facets of our faith are of those that are so diametrically opposed: the Holy Spirit and Satan. Many Christians have no concept of the power of the Holy Spirit and His presence is totally absent from their lives. The "Giver of Life" as we profess in our creed, was promised to us by Jesus. The passage above is one of the affirming passages that indeed the Apostles were given power, that is Apostolic authority by God. They were instructed to essentially do nothing until they were "clothed with the power from on high." This should indicate to all of us that they true measure of our Christian life is whether our actions are being directed by the Holy Spirit or not. St. Ignatius of Loyola recognized this and in the Spiritual Exercises, it is necessary that one discern by the fruit of one's actions who is the driving force behind them, the Holy Spirit or the Evil One. In his book titled " The Five Pillars of the Spiritual Life" (a book I would highly recommend) Father Robert Spitzer, SJ, writes about the Holy Spirit's favorite tactic - He draws us towards an opportunity...then opens the door into the opportunity...then furthers the opportunity through a sense of peace, excitement, and zeal. The result is greater faith with more opportunities presented. Remember this Power from on High overshadowed Mary to bring the Word Incarnate to us, and it is the Epiclesis, calling upon the Holy Spirit that transforms the the bread and wine into the body and blood of Our Lord Jesus. Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide your actions and to aid you as you seek opportunities to live out your Christian vocation.