First Prelude: Represent to yourself the hearts of the just as temples of the Holy Ghost.
Second Prelude: O Holy Spirit, let me understand the intrinsic worth of Thy gifts, that I may value them more than all else, and increase their efficiency by my fidelity.
First Point
The Gift of the Fear of the Lord
The gift of fear is the foundation of all the other gifts of the Holy Ghost, because fear of evil is the first step on the way to God. A soul in possession of this gift knows no evil save sin. She would a thousand times rather lose all the goods of this world, even life itself, than commit the least sin. The holy priest Edmund possessed this fear in such a degree that, according to his own statement, he would rather have plunged himself into the fire of hell than consent to a sin no matter how small. Other saints trembled with fear at the mere mention of the word “sin.” These sentiments, which are by no means to be ascribed to a passing frame of mind, proceeded from the fullness of a loving heart, and maintained themselves in all temptations.
The Holy Ghost gave to these chosen souls this determination by virtue of which they remained firm and immovable as a rock in mid-ocean, in the midst of distractions of external occupations, in the most dangerous occasions and the most violent temptations. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, through the gift of fear, souls gradually attain to that purity of heart which renders them exceedingly pleasing to God. Though they fall occasionally through weakness, these falls serve but to show forth the effects of holy fear in fullest splendor. No sooner do they perceive the least fault than in all humility they repent of it sincerely, acknowledge their ingratitude and culpability, and seek to appease the heart of God by works of devotion and mortification.
Would that this heavenly gift of fear produced similar effects in us! That it may, we will exercise strict surveillance over our heart, combat even the slightest disorders, and suffer no fault to escape our notice.
Am I convinced that the gift of fear is one of the greatest of God’s graces and do I pray for it fervently?
Second Point
Effects of the Gift of Piety
Through the gift of piety we see in God not only our supreme Lord, but also our most loving Father. Without violating the respect due Him, we approach Him with a certain degree of familiarity and tenderness and find in Him all our happiness and bliss. This gift impresses upon our hearts such a tender devotion, such a tender leaning towards God and everything that operates to His honor and love, that we praise and bless Him in all His dispensations, and humbly accept whatever He ordains. This holy and loving sentiment inspired by the Holy Ghost, affects not only our relations with God, but transmits itself also to our intercourse with men.
Souls replete with piety behold in all creatures the handiwork of God, love everything in God, and God in everything. Desiring to do good to everyone, they seek their pleasure in immolating self in the service of others. Often it seems that the Holy Ghost incites more to love of neighbor than to love of God; but true love of God manifests itself most effectively and in the manner most pleasing to God by charity towards our neighbor. Sanctity consists not alone in prayer and mortification, and in the practice of good intention. It requires above all that we see and love Christ in all men; that we rejoice at the good fortune of others, mourn with them when they are tried by reverses and bear with their possible faults in silence and meekness. It requires of us further always to requite good for evil, in short, to practice that love to which Jesus exhorts when He says: “Love ye one another, as I have loved you” (John 13, 14). Let us earnestly beg the Holy Ghost to replenish our hearts with the gift of piety, and to inspire us with a holy affection for God and our neighbor, without which we shall never be able to discharge the duties of our vocation in a manner pleasing to God.
What spirit has thus far swayed my heart? Was it, perhaps, my own spirit, the spirit of pride, of impatience, of selfishness, or was it the spirit of love, which is characterized by generosity and love of sacrifice?
Affections: Oh, how precious and desirable is the gift of holy fear! Come, Holy Spirit, and impart it to me! Give me a heart that will choose death a thousand times rather than sin; a heart that grieves over naught but sin; that fears nothing so much as to displease Thee and to render itself unworthy of Thy love and Thy grace. Replenish my heart, O Holy Spirit, with the gift of piety. Give me a tender and child-like affection for Thee, my God and Father, that I may take pleasure in Thee alone and humbly adore all Thy dispensations. Grant me sincere love and heartfelt sympathy with my neighbor, that I may gladly fulfill the obligations of my holy vocation and be a true religious always and everywhere. O Mary, my Mother, chaste Spouse of the Holy Spirit, pray for me that I may walk without blemish the path of evangelical perfection.
Resolution: I will abhor and avoid the slightest imperfections and confer upon my neighbor all the good that is in my power.
Spiritual Bouquet: “Pierce my heart with Thy holy fear, O my God!”
Prayer: Our Father…
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