The early Church gives witness to the Holy Spirit’s role in adding grace and verve in the apostolic message. When fear and doubt overtake our inclination to step well out of the past, we can look to the prayer of the first disciples. Are we prepared to ask, though, for the boldness of believers of the First Century?
133. We need the Spirit’s prompting, lest we be paralyzed by fear and excessive caution, lest we grow used to keeping within safe bounds. Let us remember that closed spaces grow musty and unhealthy. When the Apostles were tempted to let themselves be crippled by danger and threats, they joined in prayer to implore parrhesía: “And now, Lord, look upon their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness” (Acts 4:29). As a result, “when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31).
You can check the full document Gaudete et Exsultate on the Vatican website.
Catholic Sensibility 