The Great Promise

'We must fervently prepare ourselves for Pentecost, so that the coming of the Holy Spirit will be renewed in us in all its plenitude.  Since sin is the obstacle to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, our preparation must consist in a very special purity of conscience.  Sin must be destroyed in us, not only in its actual manifestations, even though they are slight, but also in its deepest and most hidden roots.

"We must be convinced, furthermore, that a certain action of the Holy Spirit is never interrupted in a soul in the state of grace...This action does not necessarily  have to be perceived and consoling.  In aridity and despondency the Holy Spirit also works in the faithful soul;  His action is secret and hidden, but also real and effective.  Its chief purpose is to purify the soul and dispose it for union with God.  If the soul is convinced of this, it will remain confident, even in difficulties, and, if it neither understands nor sees its path, it will trust in the Holy Spirit, who sees and knows well the goal to which He is leading it."

"Ah! eternal Word, tell me, I beg You, what prevents the Holy Spirit from accomplishing all His work in the soul?  You tell me that the first impediment is malice;  another impediment is the self-will
 of those who want to serve You, but in their own way.  We want Your Spirit, but we want Him in the what that pleases us, and as much as pleases us; in this way we make ourselves incapable of receiving Him.  At other times, lukewarmness is a hindrance;  we think we are serving You and do not realize we are serving ourselves."  (St. Mary Magdalene dei Pazzi)--taken from Divine Intimacy, #168.