Holy Spirit Encyclical (cont'd) - Part III -Section 2, paragraph 54

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

How grateful I am this morning to God for His Infinite Love, reading these beautiful words from Pope St. John Paul II ! How grateful I am for God’s work in JPII’s soul and this humble man’s willingness to give his all to Jesus through Mary! I’ve been thinking over the last few days how I can’t simply wait for to make my annual renewal of Total Consecration on the Feast of the Incarnation, (Mar. 25) but God willing, I will begin the 33 day preparation today. I just counted the days on my calendar and it takes until Oct.23 to complete the preparation; re-consecration would be on Oct. 24. I’ll post more details in my next thread entitled: “Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary - for Oct. 24, 2016”

Now let us continue the Encyclical:

1. "God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."226 These words were spoken by Jesus in another conversation, the one with the Samaritan woman. The great Jubilee to be celebrated at the end of this Millennium and at the beginning of the next ought to constitute a powerful call to all those who “worship God in spirit and truth.” It should be for everyone a special occasion for meditating on the mystery of the Triune God, who in himself is wholly transcendent with regard to the world, especially the visible world. For he is absolute Spirit, "God is spirit"227; and also, in such a marvelous way, he is not only close to this world but present in it, and in a sense immanent, penetrating it and giving it life from within. This is especially true in relation to man: God is present in the intimacy of man’s being, in his mind, conscience and heart: an ontological and psychological reality, in considering which St. Augustine said of God that he was "closer than my inmost being."228 These words help us to understand better the words of Jesus to the Samaritan woman: “God is spirit.” Only the Spirit can be "closer than my spiritual experience. Only the spirit can be so permanent in man and in the world, while remaining inviolable and immutable in his absolute transcendence.

But in Jesus Christ the divine presence in the world and in man has been made manifest in a new way and in visible form. In him "the grace of God has appeared indeed."229 The love of God the Father, as a gift, infinite grace, source of life, has been made visible in Christ, and in his humanity that love has become “part” of the universe, the human family and history. This appearing of grace in human history, through Jesus Christ, has been accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit, who is the source of all God’s salvific activity in the world: he, the "hidden God,"230 who as love and gift "fills the universe.“231 The Church’s entire life, as will appear in the great Jubilee, means going to meet the invisible God, the hidden God: a meeting with the Spirit "who gives life.”

This last sentence which I’ve emphasized in bold convinced me of my desire to give myself once again totally. I want to meet Him continually hidden in my heart, as Mary did on this earth, and as she gave Jesus physically to the world by the power of the Holy Spirit, so I want by the same Spirit to both experience His Life in me spiritually and spiritually to give Jesus to all.

 

[Katherine438]

Breathe into me, Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Move in me, Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Attract my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy. Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is holy. Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy.

Saint Augustine

 

[MariaChristi]

Breathe into me, Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Move in me, Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Attract my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy. Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is holy. Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy.

Saint Augustine

Dear Katherine,

Thanks so much for posting the beautiful prayer of St. Augustine to the Holy Spirit. I trust He has heard our prayers and is working to answer our petitions to be holy as He is Holy. How Good God is – I believe He desires our holiness more than we can even imagine for His love for us is Infinite!