“The Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, nor knoweth Him; but you shall know Him; because He shall abide with you, and shall be in you” (John 14, 17).
First Prelude: Picture the Apostles after the descent of the Holy Ghost, all aglow with divine love.
Second Prelude: O Holy Spirit, who hast so strong a claim upon our hearts, come and make mine perfectly submissive to Thy divine guidance.
FIRST POINT
THE HOLY GHOST DWELLS IN OUR HEARTS
Holy Church speaks of the Holy Ghost as the Guest of souls. After sanctifying us in Baptism and again in the Sacrament of Penance, the Holy Ghost dwells within our hearts, as is suggested by the astounding words of St. Paul: “Know ye not that you are the temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Cor. 3, 16). O blessed heart deigned the privilege of harboring the third Person of the most Blessed Trinity! But, alas, we so rarely ponder this sublime truth of our faith, and know not how to esteem it adequately. Otherwise, how zealous should we be to honor the Holy Ghost worthily, to rejoice Him, to remove whatever is displeasing to Him; in other words, to make the abode of our hearts as agreeable as possible for Him. He desires to possess our heart alone, to find it completely empty of all creatures. The slightest attachment to earthly things hinders the Holy Ghost from imparting to us His gifts and graces in generous measure. Let us, therefore, not resist Him further, when He manifests to us His desires in our regard. Let us not grieve Him by our lack of self-immolation, because all that He asks of us is ordained to our true happiness. Nothing can be compared to the peace of souls who co-operate fully with the designs of God—the Holy Ghost will replenish them with His consolations. To commune with Him in prayer, to immolate to Him the oblation of our love, renders us truly happy and verifies the words of Christ: “My yoke is sweet and My burden light” (Math. 11, 30).
Have I not frequently offered God a divided heart, and stoned the flow of His graces by my affection for vain and frivolous things?
SECOND POINT
THE HOLY GHOST IS THE RULER OF HEARTS
We admire the heroic virtues of the martyrs and other saints. In religious communities we not infrequently find souls devoting themselves with the greatest ardor and zeal to the works of charity, and distinguishing themselves in striving for perfection. They are docile to the Holy Ghost, their heavenly Leader, and lend a willing ear to His counsels and admonitions. They are wholly under the influence of this sanctifying Spirit, Who, without any hindrances, can accomplish His task in their behalf. He ennobles and beautifies the souls, keeps them aloof from the lowly, which savors of earth, and inspires them with sentiments that are worthy of their exalted destination. He Who is the love of the Father and the Son, enkindles ever more the flame of divine love in the hearts of His chosen ones; so that the greater honor of God becomes the instigator of all their actions and incites them to the most heroic sacrifices. How admirably were these effects manifested in the life of a St. Augustine, a St. Theresa, a St. Mary Magdalen of Pazzi, a St. Charles Borromeo, and so many other saints who have glorified the Church of God. Love manifested itself above all in their intercourse with God. Whole nights which they passed in fervent prayer seemed to them short, and all creatures served but to increase their love. In virtue of their love and zeal they embraced the whole world, desiring to lead all men to God.
It is this love that has called so many religious congregations into being, and animated countless souls for the works of Christian charity. Oh, that a similar love may extricate our hearts, too, from the narrow limits of self-love, and make them generous and self-sacrificing, that we may accomplish the adorable designs of God! May we, too, advance rapidly on the path of salvation under the direction of the Holy Ghost and by participation in His graces attain to great perfection.
How have I heeded the admonitions, the counsels and the reproaches of the Holy Ghost? What hinders the Holy Ghost from imparting His graces to my soul in abundance?
Affections: O Holy Ghost, Spirit of Love, be sole Master of my heart, and rule it entirely according to Thy good pleasure. Destroy in me all that displeases Thee. Pierce me with the flames of Thy love. Replenish my heart with fiery zeal for the works of my holy vocation, for I am determined to do whatever Thou askest of me. Do Thou issue Thy commands and I will obey. Transform and regenerate my whole being that I may become a worthy spouse of Christ. O Mary, Spouse of the Holy Ghost, teach me the secrets of divine love. Remember that the Holy Ghost has made thee the Mother of Good Counsel, and listen to my prayer. Show me how to act at all times for the glory of God, the salvation of souls and my own sanctification.
Resolution: I will frequently thank the Holy Ghost for having chosen my heart as His dwelling place. I will adore Him therein and be mindful of His presence.
Spiritual Bouquet: “Know ye not that we are temples of the Holy Ghost, that the spirit of God dwelleth in you?”
Prayer: Our Father…
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