If the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles at Pentecost marks the hour of the birth of the Church, then His descent upon Mary in Nazareth marks the beginning of the work of salvation (cf. Lk 1:35).
The Church teaches us that Mary was preserved from original sin in view of the Saviour who would be born of her. This is the dogma of the Immaculate Conception: that the Virgin Mary, by a special grace of God, preserved the state of paradisiacal innocence.
“Open the ear of your heart! Let us listen with awakened ears” (St. Benedict).
It is a great spiritual art to know how to really listen, to listen attentively, as St. Benedict recommends to his monks. We are well aware of the innumerable voices, both from within and without, that seek our attention every day.
On the faithful, who adore
And confess you, evermore
In your sevenfold gift descend;
Give them virtue’s sure reward;
Give them your salvation, Lord;
Give them joys that never end.
“God is not pleased with the quantity of our work, but with the love with which we work” (St. Francis de Sales).
“Love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Pt 4:8) and increases the value of everything else.
O most blessed Light divine,
May that light within us shine
And our inmost being fill!
Where you are not, we have naught,
Nothing good in deed or thought,
Nothing free from taint and ill. Read More
“Dwell on nothing but God” (Blessed Henry Suso).
We know a similar phrase from St. Augustine, who tells us that we can use all the things of this world, but we should enjoy God alone.
What are these two masters of spiritual life referring to? Was it not our Father who gave us so many wonderful things to rejoice in? No doubt He did! Read More
“I think it is impossible for love to be content to tread water” (St. Teresa of Avila).
Love cannot be content to remain in the same place because it is infinite. “God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him” (1 Jn 4:16). Read More
You, of comforters the best;
You, the soul’s most welcome guest;
Sweet refreshment here below;
In our labor, rest most sweet;
Grateful coolness in the heat;
Solace in the midst of woe.
“Come, Father of the poor!
Come, source of all our store!
Come, within our bosoms shine”.
The term “poor” includes all of us, especially those who are aware of their own poverty.
“Souls need a certain divine touch, and time presses; do not be afraid of anything, I am your Father; I will help you in your efforts and your work. I will sustain you always and make you enjoy, already here below, peace and joy of soul, making your ministry and your zealous works bear fruit” (Message of the Father to Sister Eugenia Ravasio).
