COME, HOLY SPIRIT
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.
Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created;
And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. LET US PRAY.
O God, who didst teach the hearts of Thy faithful people by sending them the light of Thy Holy Spirit, grant us by the same Spirit to have right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in His holy comfort.
Through Christ Our Lord. Amen
O Holy Spirit, sweet Guest of my soul, abide in me and grant that I may ever abide in Thee.
Day 34
COME, HOLY SPIRIT. . .
We have spoken about the heat of the fire. Let us now turn to the light the fire produces.
Gabriel and his family started spring seeds indoors for their garden. They marveled to see the first sprouts emerge and extend their first two leaves. All eyes were fixed on one particular seedling that appeared ready to burst forth from the soil. Yet as the sun was setting, the room where the seedling was growing had no light. No one was able to appreciate the beauty of what was unfolding as it was too dark to see it. But when the fire was burning, a warm light was cast, spreading a warm glow throughout the living room. There would be nothing missed if a seedling were growing in the area where the fire cast its glow. Indeed, a soul on fire with love and being consumed by the love of God illuminates the surrounding marvels that are unfolding. Without the light, the wonders might have been missed.
Goal: A soul burning with the love of Christ illuminates the beauty of God’s gifts so that many souls may appreciate them.
Sit quietly for five minutes, and imagine yourself just being at the foot of the Cross to silently show your love to Jesus.
Day 35
COME, HOLY SPIRIT. . .
Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in a day? If one walks during the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if one walks at night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.”
— John 11:9-10
A soul in whom the love of God is burning brings light. Such light allows for the soul to walk in safety and with a sure step. Those that walk with him are also aided by that light. Indeed, this is why a great many souls flock to a holy soul. For others can see more clearly through the light that emanates from that soul. One may reflect on the Curé of Ars, who lived from 1786-1859. People flocked to the small town in Ars, France, to seek counsel from the humble priest and go to Confession. He aided a great many souls through his example of humility, prayer, and sacrifice. As the Curé of Ars walked from the little rectory to the church, people would pull and tear at his garments hoping to rip off a tiny relic. To this he responded by rebuking them and encouraging them to make their own relics. In this we see how souls are drawn to holiness; however, one should not only pursue the light in others but should encourage the light to grow within oneself.
Goal: Seek Jesus that we may always have His light within us.
Sit quietly for five minutes, and imagine yourself just being at the foot of the Cross to silently show your love to Jesus.
Day 36
COME, HOLY SPIRIT. . .
In the story, “A Fire,” we see that on one occasion, despite Gabriel’s multiple attempts to create a fire, only smoke resulted. While the fire and the heat that are produced have the effect to draw people close and bring consolation, smoke has the opposite effect: it drives people away. A flame is bright as is a torch that can illuminate.
Fighting the fire or love creates thick dark smoke that obscures. When we do God’s will, we allow God’s light to shine through us and give Him Glory. When we seek to please ourselves alone and rely on our own strength, we are giving glory not to God but to ourselves. This obscures the light. When we are loving God and truly seeking and doing the will of God, we are not meant to hide the light but rather to be the light of the world (cf. Mt 5:14). We are told in Scripture, “A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father” (Mt 5:14-16).
Goal: A soul that fights or rejects the love of God has the effect of blocking the light just as smoke obscures light.
Sit quietly for five minutes, and imagine yourself just being at the foot of the Cross to silently show your love to Jesus.
Resources
The retreat can be done using a physical book or with our online journey. The online readings are free to use so there is no obstacle to starting!