Meditation Thirteen, First Week of June, 2003

Pre-Pentecost Novena

Readings: John 14: 25 - 26; John 16: 1 -15; Acts 1: 1 - 14

One of the providential blessings of the last several decades is a new awareness on the part of many Christians of the role and importance of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Much of this interest has been occasioned by the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, but has come from other sources as well - particularly from the encyclical Dominium et Vivificanten of the Holy Spirit of Pope John Paul II. But it is not enough to speak of the Holy Spirit or to pray to Him, but it is also necessary for us to allow Him to lead us, speak to us and even through us, so that we do His work. This idea often leaves people puzzled. How do I become sensitive to the call and movement of the Holy Spirit? The very best way is to turn to Him wherever we are, even if it is in the wrong place, even if we arrive there for the wrong reason. Wherever we are, if we call on the Holy Spirit to lead us to do good and to follow His will, to be true disciples of Jesus, He will lead us on. From that moment on we must follow the gospel teachings and try to be as obedient to God's will as we can, even when adversity or trial comes upon us. Wherever we are, we can always take the next good step. If we cannot understand what that step is, then we need to pause and pray. The next step will become clear. Even if we err in trying to do the right thing, the Holy Spirit will guide us. There is a saying, "God writes straight with crooked lines." This is the work of the Holy Spirit. The longer a person tries to follow the direction of the Holy Spirit and does not look far ahead but is satisfied with one step at a time, the easier it is to follow the way of Christ. The souls who follow Him so faithfully often accomplish immense amounts of good and achieve great things, even though the malice of the wicked seem to destroy them. In our own time we have seen this with St. Maxmillian Kolbe and St. Edith Stein who relied on the Holy Spirit dying in a man-made hell and yet they overcame all. Come Holy Spirit and lead us.

Quotation for Meditation

The following poem was written by John Henry (later Cardinal) Newman shortly before he entered the Catholic Church. It is said that he wrote it when his sailing ship was beached at sea off Italy.

THE PILLAR OF THE CLOUD

John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

Lead, kindly Light, through the encircling gloom;
Lead Thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home; Lead Thou me on!
Keep Thou my feet: I do not ask to see The distant scene;
one step enough for me.

 

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that
Thou Shouldst lead me on.
I loved to choose and see my path; but now
Lead Thou me on!
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will; remember not past years.

 

So long Thy power hath blessed me, sure it still
Shall lead me on
O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone,
And in the morn those angel faces smile
Whom I have loved long since, and lost awhile.

Quiet Time and Then Discussion

Questions for Meditation

1. Am I aware of the Holy Spirit in my life?

2. Do I allow Him to lead me?

3. When do I fail to do this?

Prayer

Holy Spirit, come and shed your divine and life-giving light on the Church, the world, our nation, on each one we care about. Give hope to the hopeless, peace to the distraught, conversion to those lost along the way. Lift up our hearts that we may be your witnesses in the way we live and even when we speak. And heal our wounds through Christ Our Lord. Amen