I want to tell you about my divine Friend, because He is so good to me that I really have to share about Him with you. It is not that I think that you do not know Him and that He is exclusively my Friend – of course not! But if I tell you about Him, perhaps you will know Him a little better. Indeed, the more we hear about Him and the more time we spend with Him, the better we will know Him. Read More
Showing all posts in Reflexion
The gifts of the Holy Spirit (7/7): THE GIFT OF WISDOM
If the gift of understanding enables us to penetrate the divine mysteries, the gift of wisdom grants us a “delightful” knowledge of God. “Taste and see that the Lord is good!” -exclaims the psalmist (Ps 34:8). First he invites us to taste, and only then to see. Read More
The gifts of the Holy Spirit (6/7): THE GIFT OF UNDERSTANDING
“The Spirit explores the depths of everything, even the depths of God” (1 Cor 2:10)
While the gift of knowledge helps us to withdraw from the attraction of creatures, recognising in an inner sight their nothingness (inasmuch as they were created out of nothing), and makes us realise that all life and beauty proceed from God; the gift of understanding helps us to penetrate the mystery of God with the light of the Holy Spirit Himself. Read More
The gifts of the Holy Spirit (5/7): THE GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE
“What, then, will anyone gain by winning the whole world and forfeiting his life?” (Mt 16:26)
Through the first four gifts (fear of the Lord, piety, fortitude and counsel), the Holy Spirit guides our moral life above all. Through the last three gifts (knowledge, understanding and wisdom) He directly guides our supernatural life, i.e. our God-centred life. Read More
The gifts of the Holy Spirit (4/7): THE GIFT OF COUNSEL
“Speak, O Lord; your servant listens” (1 Sam 3:9).
The Holy Spirit reminds us of all that Jesus said and did (cf. Jn 14:26). He dwells in us and teaches us what to do in the concrete situations of our lives. Thanks to the gift of counsel, we become able to perceive within us the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit and to distinguish it from other voices. Read More
The gifts of the Holy Spirit (2/7): THE GIFT OF PIETY
“The Spirit himself joins with our spirit to bear witness that we are children of God.” (Rom 8:16)
The gift of piety leads us to adhere to God with filial love, not wanting to offend Him in any way.
The spirit of piety touches and enlivens our spiritual life with a new, mild and gentle radiance. Under its influence, our relationship with God and with our neighbour will reach a new level of love. Piety wants to conquer the heart of God, whom it recognises as the most loving Father. Read More
The gifts of the Holy Spirit (1/7): THE GIFT OF FEAR OF THE LORD
Today, on the Feast of Pentecost, we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit.
What an extraordinary change we see in the apostles! They, who were faint-hearted and fearful, become, thanks to the presence of the Holy Spirit, powerful messengers of God’s love; and they fearlessly proclaim the Gospel. The great miracle that each of the listeners – coming from the most diverse corners of the world – could understand the message of the apostles in their own language (cf. Acts 2:6) was a sign for the future. It was as if for a moment the confusion of tongues had been abolished, so that when the apostles proclaimed the wonders of God, all people could understand them. Read More
Meditations on the Holy Spirit (14/14): PATIENCE
Beloved Holy Spirit, with today’s meditation we conclude this preparation for the great feast of Your coming. May Your fruits grow and ripen in us, for in this way we can glorify the One from whom everything comes and bear witness to You before the world! Read More
Meditations on the Holy Spirit (13/14): FAITHFULNESS
Beloved Holy Spirit, You want us to live in faithfulness – and this in a time when infidelity is almost becoming a way of life. You will have a lot of work to do, because many people no longer understand the meaning of fidelity, whether it is in the marital relationship or in promises made or even in religious vows. We often need to learn anew what faithfulness, responsibility, constancy and stability mean. Read More
Meditations on the Holy Spirit (12/14): MODESTY
What ornament, O Holy Spirit, is a modest soul; a soul in which Your fruit, dwells! In her, the disorderly desire is restrained and has come to rest. She does not think for herself constantly and is easily satisfied with everything. She does not want to be the centre of attention, but wants to take the place that You have intended for her. Therefore the precious gift of gratitude and also the fruit of humility is effective in her. Read More