I read this today and wanted to share it with you because many of the most spiritual moments I have encountered have been experiences of a feeling of being filled with the Holy Spirit. It is a beautiful, peaceful sensation and quite often I find myself praying for its' return. It is a short read but is one of the best descriptions of the Holy Spirit I have ever come across. I think the most important point is this: Although the Spirit never changes, the effects of his action are both many and marvellous and in each person the Spirit reveals his presence in a particular way for the common good. This is the last week of Easter and Pentecost is next Sunday. I encourage you to say the Rosary at least one time this week and pray the Glorious Mysteries and really reflect on the third mystery, the Decent of the Holy Spirit.
1) The Resurrection
2) The Ascension
3) The descent of the Holy Spirit
4) The Assumption
5) The crowning of Our Lady Queen of Heaven
http://www.ourladyweb.com/mary-rosary-howto.html
The Bold and italic is mine.
St Cyril of Jerusalem
"The Living Water of the Holy Spirit"
The water I shall give him will become in him a fountain of living water, welling up into eternal life. This is a new kind of water, a living, leaping water, welling up for those who are worthy. But why did Christ call the grace of the Spirit water? Because all things are dependent on water; plants and animals have their origin in water. Water comes down from heaven as rain, and although it is always the same in itself, it produces many different effects, one in the palm tree, another in the vine, and so on throughout the whole of creation. It does not come down, now as one thing, now as another, but while remaining essentially the same, it adapts itself to the needs of every creature that receives it.
In the same way the Holy Spirit, whose nature is always the same, simple and indivisible, apportions grace to each man as he wills. Like a dry tree which puts forth shoots when watered, the soul bears the fruit of holiness when repentance has made it worthy of receiving the Holy Spirit. Although the Spirit never changes, the effects of his action, by the will of God and in the name of Christ, are both many and marvellous.
The Spirit makes one man a teacher of divine truth, inspires another to prophesy, gives another the power of casting out devils, enables another to interpret holy Scripture. The Spirit strengthens one man’s self-control, shows another how to help the poor, teaches another to fast and lead a life of asceticism, makes another oblivious to the needs of the body, trains another for martyrdom. His action is different in different people, but the Spirit himself is always the same. In each person, the Spirit reveals his presence in a particular way for the common good.
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. The Spirit comes to enlighten the mind first of the one who receives him, and then, through him, the minds of others as well.
As light strikes the eyes of a man who comes out of darkness into the sunshine and enables him to see clearly things he could not discern before, so light floods the soul of the man counted worthy of receiving the Holy Spirit and enables him to see things beyond the range of human vision, things hitherto undreamed of.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
The Question
The Question? Each of my 6 children know about The Question. It is asked every year on their birthday. They know it is going to happen. They expect it. They dread it.
The Question is, “You have lived another year. You are now X years old. You have gained experience and wisdom. What have you learned that you would like to pass on to someone who is a year younger? “
It usually occurs at the dinner table, mostly family present and a close friend or two. In the earlier years the answer was fairly spontaneous. I would like to think, though, as they are maturing they are giving it some thought in their anticipation. There is always a little nervousness. Nobody likes to be put on the spot so the answer usually starts out as a humorous comment: “I’ve learned not to light candles too close to the bed because it catches the mattress on fire,” or “I’ve learned not to drive my car up underneath somebody’s truck because it is really hard to get them apart and it messes up your car.”
After the laughter subsides and they can see that I am serious, the brow begins to knit a little and pearls begin to flow. If you listen very carefully, and with a very open mind, what follows is almost always not only something they have learned but, a little glimpse into their soul. I suppose that is what I really am asking, for them to do a little soul searching and to carry The Question with them. It doesn’t need to be answered in its’ entirety right then. Think about it and use it to take stock of your life and maybe even shape your future a little bit.
Now once again it is time for The Question. This time it’s my turn. I will be 53 this week and I believe I have matured a little. In anticipation I am giving it some thought and it occurs to me The Question really is, “How has growing older changed your life?”
The answer to that for me is for the most part the past 45 years or so have been one humbling experience after another. This year though, more than others, I have really begun to take stock, take a real strong inventory and realized that the answer to The Question is a question. (Carol, hates when I do that).
What I have learned that I would like to pass on to someone who is a year (or many years) younger is to ask yourself this question, “What is my function in life?
My personal soul searching has revealed or I should say, what has been revealed to me, is that ultimately…I am here to serve others.
I have come to realize we're here for a real short time. Find something to be passionate about that will help your fellow man, the sooner the better. It doesn’t have to be lifelong or colossal. Just start somewhere, pick something: breast cancer awareness or under inflated tires hurting gas mileage on the highway. If you do want to make a lifelong commitment, make it this: do something every day to serve others.
The Question is, “You have lived another year. You are now X years old. You have gained experience and wisdom. What have you learned that you would like to pass on to someone who is a year younger? “
It usually occurs at the dinner table, mostly family present and a close friend or two. In the earlier years the answer was fairly spontaneous. I would like to think, though, as they are maturing they are giving it some thought in their anticipation. There is always a little nervousness. Nobody likes to be put on the spot so the answer usually starts out as a humorous comment: “I’ve learned not to light candles too close to the bed because it catches the mattress on fire,” or “I’ve learned not to drive my car up underneath somebody’s truck because it is really hard to get them apart and it messes up your car.”
After the laughter subsides and they can see that I am serious, the brow begins to knit a little and pearls begin to flow. If you listen very carefully, and with a very open mind, what follows is almost always not only something they have learned but, a little glimpse into their soul. I suppose that is what I really am asking, for them to do a little soul searching and to carry The Question with them. It doesn’t need to be answered in its’ entirety right then. Think about it and use it to take stock of your life and maybe even shape your future a little bit.
Now once again it is time for The Question. This time it’s my turn. I will be 53 this week and I believe I have matured a little. In anticipation I am giving it some thought and it occurs to me The Question really is, “How has growing older changed your life?”
The answer to that for me is for the most part the past 45 years or so have been one humbling experience after another. This year though, more than others, I have really begun to take stock, take a real strong inventory and realized that the answer to The Question is a question. (Carol, hates when I do that).
What I have learned that I would like to pass on to someone who is a year (or many years) younger is to ask yourself this question, “What is my function in life?
My personal soul searching has revealed or I should say, what has been revealed to me, is that ultimately…I am here to serve others.
I have come to realize we're here for a real short time. Find something to be passionate about that will help your fellow man, the sooner the better. It doesn’t have to be lifelong or colossal. Just start somewhere, pick something: breast cancer awareness or under inflated tires hurting gas mileage on the highway. If you do want to make a lifelong commitment, make it this: do something every day to serve others.
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