Thought for the Day – 15 April – What the Holy Spirit Requires of Us

Thought for the Day – 15 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

What the Holy Spirit Requires of Us

“The Holy Spirit, coming into our souls, asks us to do four things, in particular.

(1) To keep far from us everything which could be displeasing to God.
This means that we must avoid sin, which is hateful to God and brings about the death of the soul.
When the sin is grave, it destroys charity in us; when it is venial sin, it diminishes our fervour and capacity for good action.
We have become the temples of the Holy Spirit.
Let us do our best, therefore, to keep ourselves pure and free from every stain of sin.
“Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Eph 4:30).

(2) To avoid contamination by the spirit of the world, which is repugnant to the Spirit of God.
The world is selfish and we should be on fire with love for God and for our neighbour.
The world is vain and proud and we should love obscurity, recollection and humility.
The world looks for happiness in honour, wealth and pleasure in the passing goods of this life.
We, on the other hand, should seek our happiness in eternal and heavenly values because God alone can satisfy our hearts and make us happy.

(3) Too avoid affections which are too human and sensual.
Only the clean of heart can see and enjoy God.
All the objects and all the people of this world, should form for us, a ladder which leads to God.

(4) To seek the divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit, in recollection and in prayer.

We should listen for His voice within us, inspiring and advising us.
We should do, obediently, whatever He desires, no matter what sacrifices this may entail.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/06/24/thought-for-the-day-24-june-what-the-holy-spirit-requires-of-us/