The Holy Spirit is the “Sanctifier”, “The Sweet Guest of the soul”, “the Counselor and the Consoler”; He is also
“The Finger of God and the Breath of God”. Moreover, other names for the Holy Spirit are
“The Interior Master/Teacher” as well as the “Faithful Friend”. Finally, the Holy Spirit is “Uncreated love”.
In the sublime mystery of the Blessed Trinity,
The Father loves the Son and the Son reciprocates by loving the Father ;
the Holy Spirit is the mutual love that binds the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit is the mutual embrace
between Father and Son. A key element
to our sanctification—being holy as God is holy– depends on our union,
closeness, and intimacy with the Holy Spirit.
“The Finger of God and the Breath of God”. Moreover, other names for the Holy Spirit are
“The Interior Master/Teacher” as well as the “Faithful Friend”. Finally, the Holy Spirit is “Uncreated love”.
In the sublime mystery of the Blessed Trinity,
The Father loves the Son and the Son reciprocates by loving the Father ;
the Holy Spirit is the mutual love that binds the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit is the mutual embrace
between Father and Son. A key element
to our sanctification—being holy as God is holy– depends on our union,
closeness, and intimacy with the Holy Spirit.
Baptism results in an extraordinary
bestowal of supernatural blessings. To
mention a few of these blessings and gifts are the following: Entrance into
God’s Trinitarian family, freedom from Original
Sin, reception of faith, hope and
charity (the theological virtues), justice, temperance prudence and fortitude
(the moral/cardinal virtues), as well as the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
bestowal of supernatural blessings. To
mention a few of these blessings and gifts are the following: Entrance into
God’s Trinitarian family, freedom from Original
Sin, reception of faith, hope and
charity (the theological virtues), justice, temperance prudence and fortitude
(the moral/cardinal virtues), as well as the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
This of course includes the reception
of sanctifying grace, meaning union in Friendship with God and the right to
receive graces and inspirations from the
Holy Spirit. Our growth in holiness is
more the work of God than our work. However, we must collaborate with God’s
grace and His heavenly inspirations to arrive at holiness of life, happiness in
this life and heaven as our reward!
of sanctifying grace, meaning union in Friendship with God and the right to
receive graces and inspirations from the
Holy Spirit. Our growth in holiness is
more the work of God than our work. However, we must collaborate with God’s
grace and His heavenly inspirations to arrive at holiness of life, happiness in
this life and heaven as our reward!
Therefore, what might be some inspirations
that God in His infinite goodness might deign to send us? Where? When? How often? What manner? How might these heavenly
inspirations from the Holy Spirit visit us?
that God in His infinite goodness might deign to send us? Where? When? How often? What manner? How might these heavenly
inspirations from the Holy Spirit visit us?
Our antennae might be broken, tilted,
rusty, wrongly located— if so, the antennae will not pick up the “waves” that
it should be picking up. Either the
antennae should be repaired, or simply restored for a new one.
rusty, wrongly located— if so, the antennae will not pick up the “waves” that
it should be picking up. Either the
antennae should be repaired, or simply restored for a new one.
Likewise, we must have our “Spiritual
antennae” polished, renewed, adjusted, renovated, and centrally located so as
to receive the “Heavenly waves”— that
is to say, the inspirations that come from the Holy Spirit.
antennae” polished, renewed, adjusted, renovated, and centrally located so as
to receive the “Heavenly waves”— that
is to say, the inspirations that come from the Holy Spirit.
Father Jacques Philippe recounts an
example in his life, when arriving home after an exhausting retreat, he was
heading for his room to retire, but suddenly a thought came to him in these
gentle but insistent words: “Come to the
chapel to visit me for a short time!”
His weariness resisted and resulted in this thought: “If I do not have enough rest, tomorrow will
be difficult!” The voice insisted! Fr. Jacque capitulated, made a short but warm
visit with Jesus. The result of this visit was a peaceful and good
night’s rest, consolation upon rising and renewed energy the whole of the
following day!
example in his life, when arriving home after an exhausting retreat, he was
heading for his room to retire, but suddenly a thought came to him in these
gentle but insistent words: “Come to the
chapel to visit me for a short time!”
His weariness resisted and resulted in this thought: “If I do not have enough rest, tomorrow will
be difficult!” The voice insisted! Fr. Jacque capitulated, made a short but warm
visit with Jesus. The result of this visit was a peaceful and good
night’s rest, consolation upon rising and renewed energy the whole of the
following day!
There we have it! An inspiration from the Holy Spirit,
discernment, battle to accept or reject, finally acceptance and compliance with
the inspiration. Reward! A peaceful
night’s rest, consolation and spiritual energy the following day!
discernment, battle to accept or reject, finally acceptance and compliance with
the inspiration. Reward! A peaceful
night’s rest, consolation and spiritual energy the following day!
All of us, in one way or another, can
identify with this case-scenario of Fr. Jacques. Sometimes we have collaborated
and said “Yes” to the inspiration resulting in peace; unfortunately, at times
due to our selfishness, laziness and obstinacy have said “No!’ resulting in
desolation in our souls!
identify with this case-scenario of Fr. Jacques. Sometimes we have collaborated
and said “Yes” to the inspiration resulting in peace; unfortunately, at times
due to our selfishness, laziness and obstinacy have said “No!’ resulting in
desolation in our souls!
The following are some inspirations
that may come our way! Let us beg Mary—who always said “Yes” to God, that we
would give our “Fiat!”
that may come our way! Let us beg Mary—who always said “Yes” to God, that we
would give our “Fiat!”
1. PRAYER! In the midst of your busy schedule, you hear
an interior voice that invites you to say a short prayer to the Lord. This
short aspiration can keep the fire of God’s love burning in your heart. The Hail Mary; Glory Be; Jesus, Mary, and Joseph I love you, save souls. These can be those short fiery
darts that can pierce the Heart of God and keep the fire of God’s love burning
in your heart!
an interior voice that invites you to say a short prayer to the Lord. This
short aspiration can keep the fire of God’s love burning in your heart. The Hail Mary; Glory Be; Jesus, Mary, and Joseph I love you, save souls. These can be those short fiery
darts that can pierce the Heart of God and keep the fire of God’s love burning
in your heart!
2. SACRIFICE! Rise 5 minutes earlier to pray more,
avoid responding when it would be fruitless in a difficult conversation, deny
yourself of that extra cookie, smile despite your headache and weariness. Often the Holy Spirit will inspire small
sacrifices that can be applied for the conversion of sinners!
avoid responding when it would be fruitless in a difficult conversation, deny
yourself of that extra cookie, smile despite your headache and weariness. Often the Holy Spirit will inspire small
sacrifices that can be applied for the conversion of sinners!
3. SILENCE! Radio, music, TV. — all clamor for your time, attention and energy!
Maybe the Holy Spirit—indeed He is a jealous lover—desires your heart to be in
silence so that He can speak to you. “I
will take you to the desert and speak to your heart.” (Hosea).
Maybe the Holy Spirit—indeed He is a jealous lover—desires your heart to be in
silence so that He can speak to you. “I
will take you to the desert and speak to your heart.” (Hosea).
4. FORGIVENESS! A relationship has been damaged due to pride;
your heart is not at peace. The Biblical
passage on leaving your gift and reconciling with your brother keeps ringing in
your mind! Reconcile! Ask for forgiveness!
Be humble as Jesus was meek and humble of heart!
your heart is not at peace. The Biblical
passage on leaving your gift and reconciling with your brother keeps ringing in
your mind! Reconcile! Ask for forgiveness!
Be humble as Jesus was meek and humble of heart!
5. LISTEN! Somebody is speaking and going on and on…..
However, interiorly, the Holy Spirit is prompting you with these thoughts:
“This person is lonely and hurting and has nobody else but you; listen
attentively and support! Remember two
weeks earlier, somebody listened attentively to you with your endless words and
problems!
However, interiorly, the Holy Spirit is prompting you with these thoughts:
“This person is lonely and hurting and has nobody else but you; listen
attentively and support! Remember two
weeks earlier, somebody listened attentively to you with your endless words and
problems!
6. KNEEL DOWN! While praying and dozing off, you feel an
interior nudge: “Kneel down and pray fervently!” Comfort, complacency, ease,
laziness, the law of doing “The minimum” is knocking at your door! Resist and fight!
interior nudge: “Kneel down and pray fervently!” Comfort, complacency, ease,
laziness, the law of doing “The minimum” is knocking at your door! Resist and fight!
7. HOLY HOUR OF 66 MINUTES! Lately you have been tempted to abbreviate
your Holy Hour to 55 minutes. The inspiration comes, extend the Holy Hour an extra six minutes! The victory accomplished! You experience joy and peace the rest of the day. God cannot be outdone in generosity!
your Holy Hour to 55 minutes. The inspiration comes, extend the Holy Hour an extra six minutes! The victory accomplished! You experience joy and peace the rest of the day. God cannot be outdone in generosity!
8. TRANSPARENCY IN SPIRITUAL DIRECTION. The temptation is to hide, camouflage, to
color it a different hue, to be vague and evasive. All the above frustrates the living out of
Rule 13 of the Rules for Discernment, which is to be open, honest and transparent
to one’s spiritual director. Whereas the devil thrives in lurking in the cloud
of secrecy! The Holy Spirit prompts us with inspirations to be open, humble and sincere!
color it a different hue, to be vague and evasive. All the above frustrates the living out of
Rule 13 of the Rules for Discernment, which is to be open, honest and transparent
to one’s spiritual director. Whereas the devil thrives in lurking in the cloud
of secrecy! The Holy Spirit prompts us with inspirations to be open, humble and sincere!
9. SUFFER IN SILENCE! Somebody at work, at school, at home bothers you due to some mannerism, idiosyncrasy, or nervous habit. Your tendency is to be sharp and to rebuke. However, the Holy Spirit, in this case is prompting you to suffer in silence
for the salvation of sinners and to repare for your own past sins!
for the salvation of sinners and to repare for your own past sins!
10. FRATERNAL CORRECTION. In another circumstance,
somebody is acting inappropriately and could easily cause scandal, resulting in
spiritual damage to the innocent and a considerable number of persons. Find the time, the place, the manner, the
tone of voice and the proper words to intervene with a “Fraternal
correction”. Remember the words of St. James: “My brothers, if anyone should
stray from the truth and someone bring him back; he should know that whoever
brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death
and will cover a multitude of sins.” (James 5: 19-20)
somebody is acting inappropriately and could easily cause scandal, resulting in
spiritual damage to the innocent and a considerable number of persons. Find the time, the place, the manner, the
tone of voice and the proper words to intervene with a “Fraternal
correction”. Remember the words of St. James: “My brothers, if anyone should
stray from the truth and someone bring him back; he should know that whoever
brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death
and will cover a multitude of sins.” (James 5: 19-20)
Speak O Lord for your servant is listening! Lord give me an open and
attentive heart to your heavenly inspirations. Mary, help me to be silent, like you, to listen attentively and to
respond generously!
attentive heart to your heavenly inspirations. Mary, help me to be silent, like you, to listen attentively and to
respond generously!
