III. These dispositions, as has been already remarked, in regard to the Apostles, were retirement, constant prayer, mutual concord, and the company and protection of the blessed Virgin. Imitate them in these dispositions, and take care that after having been warmed by the influence of the Holy Ghost, you do not return to your former state of coldness or tepidity.
PENTECOST MONDAY.
Descent of the Holy Ghost. — I.
I. The time which God had ordained having expired, and the Apostles being duly disposed by prayer, the Holy Ghost descended upon them whilst " they were all together in the same place." (Acts ii. 1.) Learn, hence, to be constant in prayer, to be united with your brethren, and to avoid singularity, if you wish to be visited by the Holy Ghost. Besides, He came suddenly, because His visitations have no fixed time, and therefore ought to be sought for without intermission, and to be waited for with long expectation.
II. "And it filled the whole house where they were sitting." Ponder the unbounded liberality of the Divine Spirit which left nothing void in His gifts. " The earth is filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the covering waters of the sea." (Is. xi. 9.) Although they were all filled, yet one received more than another in proportion to his capacity. Hence the blessed Virgin received more than all the rest. Enlarge, therefore, your heart, that you may deserve to receive a large proportion of His divine gifts. "Open thy mouth," He says by the Royal Psalmist, "and I will fill it." (Ps. lxxx. 11.)
III. " And there appeared to them cloven tongues as
