"The Spirit comes gently and makes himself known by his fragrance. He is not felt as a burden, for he is light, very light. Rays of light and knowledge stream before him as he approaches. The Spirit comes with the tenderness of a true friend and protector to save, to heal, to teach, to counsel, to strengthen, to console." St Cyril of Jerusalem
Thinking of the Spirit as a true friend who saves, heals, teaches, counsels, strengthens and consoles ought to fill us with hope. We are not alone, ever, and the Spirit is our assurance that in all we do and are, God is with us in whatever role we need.
True friends are like that. No matter where we are in life, they stop, listen, reflect with us and respond for us and for our good. Knowing, experiencing and believing that the Spirit is God's way of assuring us that we have a true friend to accompany us on every step of our spiritual path is almost overwhelming in its beauty.
Those who have been blessed with a soul friend in their daily lives know this deeply. Realizing that God wants to be like that soul friend for us reminds us powerfully of the intimacy God seeks with us even when we fail to respond, but our negligence should not depress us. God waits for and upon us. God is like a vigilant and patient friend who knows us better than we know ourselves and is anxious to express his never failing love for us.
Today, ask the Spirit to be your friend in a way you can understand and celebrate.
Have you known God's spirit as soul friend? What is that like?
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Monday, May 21, 2012
The Holy Spirit
"We have never even heard there is a Holy Spirit." Acts 19:2
Each year one of our friars from Australia conducts a little contest with our novices, asking them to name the the six states of his homeland. With a twinkle in his eye, he reminds the novices that he has already given them a hint, knowing full well that the majority will not know there are six states in Australia, much less be able to name them.
I always enjoy hearing about this exercise because it is true about so much of the world. How many countries in Africa? How many in Europe or South America? There is so much about the physical world we don't know. Why should we be surprised that the disciples in Ephesus tell St Paul that they have never even heard of the Holy Spirit. In truth, most Catholics know little about the Holy Spirit even today, and too many do not realize how vital the Spirit is to their daily lives.
This is all the more serious when we realize that it is the promise and gift of the Holy Spirit that sustained the earliest Christians after Jesus ascended into heaven. For the first community of believers the Holy Spirit was strong, palpable and very real. It was the Holy Spirit that allowed them to let go of their fears, proclaim the Good News and go to the ends of the earth baptizing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
More important, it was the Holy Spirit upon whom we were encouraged to rely after the Second Vatican Council, and we should continue to live in the Spirit and call upon the Spirit each day of our journey in faith.
Today, pray to the Holy Spirit for strength to live and announce the Gospel.
Has the Holy Spirit ever been active in your life? If so, how did you respond?
Each year one of our friars from Australia conducts a little contest with our novices, asking them to name the the six states of his homeland. With a twinkle in his eye, he reminds the novices that he has already given them a hint, knowing full well that the majority will not know there are six states in Australia, much less be able to name them.
I always enjoy hearing about this exercise because it is true about so much of the world. How many countries in Africa? How many in Europe or South America? There is so much about the physical world we don't know. Why should we be surprised that the disciples in Ephesus tell St Paul that they have never even heard of the Holy Spirit. In truth, most Catholics know little about the Holy Spirit even today, and too many do not realize how vital the Spirit is to their daily lives.
This is all the more serious when we realize that it is the promise and gift of the Holy Spirit that sustained the earliest Christians after Jesus ascended into heaven. For the first community of believers the Holy Spirit was strong, palpable and very real. It was the Holy Spirit that allowed them to let go of their fears, proclaim the Good News and go to the ends of the earth baptizing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
More important, it was the Holy Spirit upon whom we were encouraged to rely after the Second Vatican Council, and we should continue to live in the Spirit and call upon the Spirit each day of our journey in faith.
Today, pray to the Holy Spirit for strength to live and announce the Gospel.
Has the Holy Spirit ever been active in your life? If so, how did you respond?
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Unity
"Father, keep them in your name that you have give me, so that they may be one just as we are one." Jn 17:12
Many years ago, after a visit to Japan for what seemed like a very long month, I was anxious to return home to the United States and the cultural world within which I was raised. On my trip, traveling through Tokyo, which is a very diverse and and sophisticated city, I searched for a McDonald's, ordered a big Mac and sat on the curb to eat it. Every Japanese who passed me smiled. Whether they understood my loneliness or were amused by my straightforward behavior, I didn't know, nor did I care. I needed a break from what felt like a barrage of cultural differences, and Jesus' prayer that we be one was the furthest thing from my mind.
Unity with other believers as a sign of God's presence and love between and among us is a very tall order, especially when living in a multicultural world. So many things separate us. Race, gender, family values, language, politics and so much more. We have only to pick one of these areas to work on with others with whom we differ to realize how challenging Jesus' wish for us is.
Nevertheless, unity within the Catholic church and among churches all over the world is Jesus' prayer and we cannot ignore it. Learning to let go of aspects of our culture and tradition that only separate us and do nothing for justice in the world is an essential goal for believers.
Today, pick one area of your life that separates you from others and work on it.
What most motivates you to break down unnecessary disunity in your life?
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Remembering Jesus' Prayer for Us
"I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me, because they are yours, and everything of mine is yours and everything of yours is mine, and I have been glorified in them."
How can we accompany family members during a divorce? What do you say to a hard working friend who, because she cannot pay her mortgage, has lost her home? How do you tell an older friend that he can no longer drive? In fact, there is no good or easy way to tell someone that their life and lifestyle must change radically.
Although they did not realize it at the time they were called to follow him, Jesus' disciples were faced with the daunting prospect of continuing to live the gospel that had captured their spirits without the props they had come to rely upon. For years, the disciples had accompanied Jesus on the road to Jerusalem, no doubt expecting that someday he would march triumphantly into the holy city. That this would not be the case was clear but painful. Jesus' disciples would have to rely on his prayer for them as fuel for their new journey. So do we.
Today, pray for someone who feels completely alone and abandoned.
What sustains you in your faith?
How can we accompany family members during a divorce? What do you say to a hard working friend who, because she cannot pay her mortgage, has lost her home? How do you tell an older friend that he can no longer drive? In fact, there is no good or easy way to tell someone that their life and lifestyle must change radically.
Although they did not realize it at the time they were called to follow him, Jesus' disciples were faced with the daunting prospect of continuing to live the gospel that had captured their spirits without the props they had come to rely upon. For years, the disciples had accompanied Jesus on the road to Jerusalem, no doubt expecting that someday he would march triumphantly into the holy city. That this would not be the case was clear but painful. Jesus' disciples would have to rely on his prayer for them as fuel for their new journey. So do we.
Today, pray for someone who feels completely alone and abandoned.
What sustains you in your faith?
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