The Spirit scrutinizes everything, even the depths of God. Among men, who knows what pertains to the man except his spirit that is within? Similarly, no one knows what pertains to God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand the things freely given us by God.
In today's selection from Saint Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians, the apostle gives us a major insight into the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. He tells us the Spirit scrutinizes everything, even the depths of God.
Then he points to a similar principal in man; that is, that consciousness of self (or the conscience) which understands oneself. More than the memory of past thoughts, words and deeds, one's "conscience" looks at the self in the present moment. It says, "Here I am;" "Here is what I am thinking;" "This is how I feel;" and "This is what I intend."
The Holy Spirit, broadly speaking, resembles that human capability. Whereas the human conscience can speak to other persons only with language and signs, which are often misunderstood and terribly inaccurate; the Spirit of God communicates the wholeness of God, even into the inadequate "container" of our souls.
The Spirit speaks to the disciples of Jesus "that we may understand the things freely given us by God." The Holy Spirit permits access to God's wisdom, courage, mercy, gentleness, and so forth. Inspired disciples have "in-sight" of God. They move freely and confidently, trusting themselves and their impulses to recognize and do the right thing. More importantly, the inspired Church worships confidently, under an aegis of divine protection. If we suffer as Jesus suffered, there is no surprise in that; for the Spirit helps us to accept our misery with the same assurance that guided him toward Jerusalem, Gethsemane and Calvary.
Franciscans celebrate the Assisiani who prayed continually and, though appearing to act impetuously, moved always under the guiding hand of God. Saint Francis and Saint Clare are remembered for their joyous freedom despite his extreme poverty and the confines of her cloister. Because they wanted nothing of this world's power they enjoyed astonishing authority to pray, preach, heal, bless and rebuke. In contemplative prayer they scrutinized everything, even the depths of God.
Catholics also celebrate the Holy Virgin who, filled with the Holy Spirit, "conceived the Lord within her heart before she conceived him in her body."
The Spirit of God knows the Father and the Son and gathers us into the Trinitarian mystery of God, where we are blinded by God's brilliance. In the darkness of faith we speak of hope and love, of courage, generosity and patience; of communion, penance and atonement; and the world is utterly mystified by our conversation because -- we have received the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand the things freely given us by God.
On this fourth day of September I thank God for 47 years in solemn vows of the Conventual Franciscan Order. Solemn vows are like tattoos, only better!
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.