22 May 2010: Eve -- The Solemnity of Pentecost

Ten Day Devotion to the Holy Spirit

Introductory Prayer

Come, O Holy Spirit! Enlighten my understanding in order to know your commands; strengthen my heart against the snares of the enemy; enkindle my will ... I have heard your voice, and I do not want to harden my heart and resist, saying, “Later ... tomorrow.” ‘Nunc coepi!’ Right now! Lest there be no tomorrow for me.

O Spirit of truth and of wisdom, Spirit of understanding and of counsel, Spirit of joy and of peace! I want whatever you want; I want because you want; I want as you want; I want whenever you want ...

Ref: St Josemaria Escrivà, “Prayer to the Holy Spirit”. In Postulation for the Cause of Beatification and Canonization, “Historical Registry of the Founder of Opus Dei” 20172, p145.

Consideration -- The Feast of Pentecost: Mysterious circumstances

The Christian Pentecost occurred on a Sunday, the fiftieth day after the Sunday of the Resurrection. That day followed the Great Sabbath, or Jewish Pasch. Thus, the descent of the Holy Spirit did not take place on the Jewish Pentecost, but the next day. (Cornelius à Lapide. In “Act. Apost.”)

This circumstance, divinely ordained, inaugurated a great and solemn mystery-- ‘the succession of the New Law to the Old’. The Old Law, suited to the hard-heartedness of the Jews, was of ‘fear’ and ‘bondage’, given amidst thunders, engraved on ‘stone’.

The New Law is a law of ‘love’ and ‘liberty’, written by the Holy Spirit on the hearts of the faithful when he fills them with the interior spirit of love and filial piety.

Let us thank God for our having been born and baptized under the law of grace, and seek to perfect the interior law of love. This we can do in three ways:

1) we must treat God with the greatest confidence, like a tender Father, not a hard master or severe tyrant;

2) we must be actuated always by the spirit of love, and not by fear; and

3) we must serve God our Lord for himself, not for the sake of any reward.

On the Day of Pentecost the twelve Apostles, with St Peter presiding, and other disciples were assembled. Mary was in their midst in the upper room already consecrated by the mysteries of the Last Supper. The Holy Spirit chose this place to communicate himself to men, and which he filled throughout with his divine truth, but without extending himself outside of it.

This house represents the Church, “the assembly of the faithful who profess the true doctrine of Jesus Christ, under obedience to the successor of St Peter”. (“Mechlin Catechism” in Church History, p413-4) There alone is the Holy Spirit given; from thence alone flow holy Sacraments, the only true means of eternal salvation.

“There is no salvation out of the Church.” (“Catechism of the Catholic Church”, Nos. 846-8) What a blessed privilege to have the Church for our Mother! Through her we inherit eternal life. She showers down fresh graces upon us every day. What return can we make to her?

We can love her, honor her by the purity of our lives, pray earnestly that God would render her victorious over her enemies, and give her the whole world for her inheritance, according to the promise of our Lord. To offer to God for these ends our health, our talents, our learning, and even our lives.

Can we do more? Yes. We can use all our influence with others to induce them to love and honor the holy Church; to pursue the defence against her enemies.

Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp294-6

Crossing the threshold of hope

St Hilary holds, the Holy Spirit is the gift that bestows perfect hope (“On the Trinity”, II, 1). Hope has become one of John Paul II’s favorite themes: “Be not afraid!” he insists in his teaching, explaining in a speech the significance of hope and its role for Christians.

“St Paul tells the Corinthians, among the greatest gifts, is ‘hope’" (1 Cor 12:31). Hope has a fundamental role in Christian life, as has faith and love, although ‘the greatest of these is love’ (1 Cor 13:13). Clearly, hope is not understood in a restrictive sense of a special and extraordinary gift, given to some for the benefit of the community.

It is ‘a gift of the Holy Spirit offered to every person’ who in faith opens to Christ. Pay special attention to this gift, especially in our time, during which many humans -- even many Christians -- debate among themselves about the illusions and myths of an infinite capacity for self-redemption and self-fulfillment and the temptation to pessimism in the expectation of frequent disillusions and defeats.” (“The Holy Spirit, Guarantee of Eschatological Hope and Source of Final Perseverance”, general audience speech of 3 July 1991, of Pope John Paul II, 14, no. 2)

With hope the Christian is able to enter “the inner shrine behind the curtain” (Heb 6:19). “For the Spirit is given to the Church in order that through his power the whole community of the people of God, however widely scattered and diverse, may persevere in hope: that hope in which ‘we have been saved’ (Rom 8:24).

It is the hope of definitive fulfillment in God, the hope of the eternal kingdom, brought about by participation in the life of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit, given to the apostles as the Counselor, “is the guardian and animator of this hope in the heart of the Church”. (John Paul II, encyclical letter “Dominum et Vivificantem”, 18 May 1986) The Spirit is the dynamic force that inspires the lifestyle of Christians. ...

It seems ever clearer that the spirituality of the Third Millennium cannot be a spirituality enclosed in itself or one which denies the world to come. It must be one of full transfiguration because it is filled with the Spirit of life and hope. It will be a spirituality of resurrection. ...

Ref: cf Theological-Historical Commission, “The Holy Spirit, Lord and Giver of Life”, 153-4, 1997

Pentecost Goes On

“The day of Pentecost” ... a day of particular solemnity which stands side by side with Easter Day itself, by reason of the dignity of the celebration and the spiritual riches contained in it.

Is it possible to establish a comparison between the Pentecost of which the “Acts of the Apostles” speaks, that occurred fifty days after the Lord’s resurrection, and the Pentecost of today? Yes. It is not only possible, it is also certain, undoubted and corroborating to recognize that link ‘in the life’ and ‘for the life’ of the Church, both at the level of her two-thousand years of history and of that of the events of the time in which we are living ...

We have the right, duty and joy to say that Pentecost goes on. We rightfully speak of the “perpetuity” of Pentecost. Gathered in that same Cenacle, which had been the place of the first Eucharist, then of the first meeting with the Risen One, the Apostles ‘discovered the power of the Holy Spirit’.

Made strong by that power, they began to act, that is, to carry through their service. The apostolic Church was born. And we are gathered here to ‘renew the mystery of that great day’.

That mystery ought to be manifested in a particular way through the Sacrament of Confirmation....

Ref: cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, p217

The Gift of Knowledge

“Creatures are a trace of the passing of God, whereby are revealed His greatness, power, wisdom and other Divine virtues.” (cf St John of the Cross, “The Spiritual Canticle”, 5, 3) Things reflect the splendor, beauty, goodness and power of God. In the words of the psalmist: “The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.” (Ps 19:1)

And yet, because of original sin and ensuing personal sins, men cannot perceive the signs of God in the world, fail to know him as the source of all good.

This gift enables us to understand creatures as signs which lead to God. “Like the gifts of understanding and of wisdom, the gift of knowledge is a contemplative gift enabling us to see into the very mystery of God.” (MM Philipon, “The Gifts of the Holy Spirit”, Madrid)

Through this gift a Christian perceives and understands that “all creation, the movement of earth and other heavenly bodies, the good actions of creatures and all the good that has been achieved in history, in short, everything, comes from God and is directed toward him.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 130)

This gift is a supernatural disposition whereby the soul participates in God’s knowledge, grasps the relationship between creatures and their Creator, and perceives how creation serves man’s last end.

The hymn which many Catholics use for thanksgiving after Holy Communion, clearly expresses this gift. “... all works of the Lord, bless the Lord; praise and bless him forever. Angels of the Lord ... heavens ... sun and moon ... stars of heaven ... rain and dew ... nights and days ... light and darkness ... mountains and hills ... plants ... springs ... seas and rivers ... whales and fish ... birds of the air ... wild beasts and cattle ... priests of the Lord ... spirits and souls of the just ... the holy and humble in heart: praise and thank him because his mercy is everlasting.” (cf Daniel, 3:52-90)

The gift of knowledge enables the Christian who is docile to the Holy Spirit to perfectly discern between what leads to God and what separates from him. Perhaps a disordered desire for material goods; so the heart is not free to serve God.

Christians who must sanctify themselves in the middle of the world especially need this gift so as to direct all temporal activities to God, making them a means of holiness and apostolate. “There is something holy, something hidden in the most ordinary situations, and it is up to each one of you to discover it.” (“Conversations with Monsignor Escrivá”, 114)

In order to receive this gift we must ask the Holy Spirit to help us exercise freedom and detachment from material goods; to be more humble, so we can learn the value of things. Along with these dispositions we need to foster and increase our sense of God’s presence which helps us to see him in our work.

To make us capable of possessing this gift in full, we have recourse to the Blessed Virgin, “Mother of fair love, of fear, of knowledge, and of holy hope” (Sir 24:24).

“Mary is also the Mother of knowledge, for it is with her that we learn the most important lesson of all, that nothing is worthwhile if we are not close to Our Lord.

"All the wonders of this earth, the fulfilment of our every ambition, is worthless unless the living flame of love burns within us, unless there is the light of holy hope giving us a foretaste of never-ending love in our true homeland in heaven.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 278)

Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:543-8

` ` ` MAY DEVOTIONS ` ` `

Mary Ever Virgin

“The purity, humility and generosity of Mary are in sharp contrast to our wretchedness and selfishness. To the extent we realize this, we should feel moved to imitate her. We, too, are creatures of God; and if we strive to imitate her fidelity, God will surely do great things in us. Our little worth is no obstacle, because God chooses what is of little value so the power of his love be more manifest.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 172)

Let us offer our Mother: ‘The prayer’, “Blessed be your purity” (In Belmonte and Socias [Eds], op cit, p15)

Blessed be your purity, / May it be blessed for ever. For not less than God takes delight, / In such exalted beauty. To you, heavenly Princess, Holy Virgin Mary, /I offer on this day My whole heart, life and soul. Look upon me with compassion, /Do not leave me, my Mother.

Ref: Fr Charles Belmonte and Fr James Socias (Eds), “Handbook of Prayers”, 1988, p311

· “I love Mary, I cannot live without her: she is my real mother; the other mother is only my nurse!” -- St Joseph da Copertino (In Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, p28)

Fruitfulness -- Rectitude of intention consists in seeking “only and in all things” the glory of God. (St Josemaria Escrivá, "The Forge", 921)

Our Lady of ‘Monte Vergine’, near Naples. This image preserved from flames the monastery and church consecrated in her honor. — P. Spinelli, Tractatus de exemplis et miraculis, last chapter. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)

Our Lady of the Virgin’s Mount / ‘Monte Vergine’ / ‘Madonna della Monte Vergine’ (Virgin's Mount), Naples, Italy. 1119. (http://www.divinewill.org/feastofourlady.htm); (http://www.starharbor.com/santiago/m feasts.html); (MaryLinks Calendar.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)

Queen of the Apostles (‘Regina Apostolorum’). (Moveable feast-- Saturday within Octave of the Ascension (16 May)2010]. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)

St Rita of Cascia: -- Patroness of impossible cases. (Rev Hugo Hoever, SOCist, PhD, “Lives of the Saints”, p204)