Lectio Divina

Act in me, O Holy Spirit, That my work, too, may be holy.

Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, That I love but what is holy.

Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, To defend all that is holy.

Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, That I always may be holy.

 

(St Augustine)

 

 

1. Lectio (Read)

 

“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you.  But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.  You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’  If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.  And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe.  I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father.  Rise, let us go from here."

St John 14:25-end, ESVUK

 

 

2. Meditatio (Reflect and Rejoice)

 

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, That my thoughts may all be holy.

 

In discussing the role of the Spirit in our spiritual journey, Saint Augustine highlights four key actions: to act, to draw, to strengthen, and to guard.  These four essential movements anchor what is holy within us.  In this meditation, I want to focus on these four movements of the Holy Spirit in my life as a Christian.  The Holy Spirit breathes within me as an inner master.  I recall a few teachers and lecturers whose lessons still resonate in my mind.  Some of their words are so vivid that it feels as if they are still speaking to me today.  The Holy Spirit is indeed the master teacher.  Jesus promised, “He will teach you all things.”  He functions like a life coach for Christians, guiding us in our struggles with sin, much like an athlete relies on their coach's instructions during a performance.  In our daily lives, we hear the words of Jesus thanks to the Spirit.  This is how Jesus communicates with us during the age of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit serves not only as an inner teacher but also as an engraver.  Much like someone might discreetly want to have a little tattoo representing his Faith, the Holy Spirit metaphorically gives us an inner tattoo, inscribing the teachings of Jesus into our hearts.  The last line of Proverbs 3:3 comes to mind: "Write them on the tablet of your heart."

The Holy Spirit helps us remember and internalize the words of Jesus so that we can engrave them within our hearts.  This reminder is a memory promise.  It is about remembering what God has done in us because God has already done, said and accomplished everything in Jesus.  This remembrance isn't merely an awareness but a condition for us to trust the Lord with all our hearts and to find favour and success in the sight of God and man (cf. Proverbs 3:3-4).

 

Pause

 

Thank you, Holy Spirit, for helping us internalize the words of Jesus and bringing them to life in our daily experiences: in the morning, at noon, and at the end of the day before we sleep.

 

Pause

 

The Holy Spirit acts within me, working continually to connect me to the Father’s heart and sanctifying me each day. Unlike the two brothers in the Bible who coveted their father's possessions and served him with divided loyalties (St Luke 15:11-32), the Holy Spirit helps us focus on what is truly essential in our lives and share in the Father’s heart/plan of salvation.

 

Pause

 

I am reminded not to “lay up treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal”. (cf. St Matthew 6:19)

Thank you, Holy Spirit, for acting in me as a divine connector, resetting my life, helping me to connect, share, and participate in God’s true treasure and loving heart.  “...Having our hearts run into one, that this one heart, set on that which is above, may escape the corruption of the earth." (Saint Augustine)

The Holy Spirit draws my heart to love and do what is holy:  He protects me from myself and my weaknesses.  In the terminology of St John, the Holy Spirit shields me from the spirit of the world, which includes everything that opposes the values of the Gospel, such as the pursuit of vainglory, pride, unbridled materialism, and the quest for pleasure at any cost.  He is my protector and defender.

The Holy Spirit strengthens me: He “vaccinates” me against sin.  I don’t necessarily have to engage in countless efforts in this regard.  No!  The Holy Spirit guards me.  I am empowered by my baptism and faith, through the Holy Spirit, who is infinitely more powerful than sin and evil spirits.

 

3. Oratorio (Ask and Pray)

 

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, That my thoughts may all be holy.

 

The Holy Spirit brings joy, order, unity, and happiness to my heart.

I reflect on the moments when I experience His presence in my life.

Pentecost is also about building upon what is already there, right? (cf. R. Crouse).

 

Pause

 

I want to pause and meditate on what God has already achieved in my life, recalling moments that have brought me fulfilment in my story.

I cherish moments of happiness when I felt loved by my parents, friends, my wife, and my daughters.

In those instances, I was able to love in return and give myself to others. I have faith that these moments of joy and peace are intricately connected to God’s love for me.

The Holy Spirit has allowed me to experience God’s love live during these beautiful moments. I firmly believe that those who love God and others, even under ordinary circumstances, experience joy in their hearts. Correct me if I am wrong, Lord.

 

Pause

 

I wish to remain among those who have accepted being loved by God and others, and who therefore find joy and peace even in trials. God’s love transcends human joy; it is a spiritual joy that will accompany us until the end of our lives.

 

Pause

 

I thank God for the gift of His word and offer this meditation as a fruit of His grace.  As I pray for the Spirit of Pentecost and express my gratitude for the gifts we have received from Jesus, Your Son, may I receive the spirit of "right judgments," joy, and peace in my heart.  Right judgments, peace, and joy come from:

•  Obeying Your commandments, God.
•  Full and active participation in the breaking of bread and prayers.
•  Practicing true religion: visiting orphans and widows in their affliction and keeping oneself unstained from the world (St James 1:27b).
• Establishing order in my current life.  You are the one who can bring order to my life; You are God, the creator and source of divine order.  There is a fragility and weakness within me due to original sin, which, in Jewish tradition, can be referred to as the Evil Inclination.  Sustain me in my fight against addictions; vaccinate me against certain inclinations.

 

 

4. Contemplatio (Yield and pray)

 

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, That my thoughts may all be holy.

 

I want to see the dove representing the Holy Spirit in the moments when I have felt loved and have been able to love, as well as in the times I gave myself to others in love.

 

Silence

 

I aim to become compassionate this week.

 

Pause

 

I want to encounter what God expects of me during this week.

There may not be mystical tremors, but I want You, Lord, to build upon what You have already accomplished in my life through Jesus, Your Son.

 

Pause

 

I want to step out of the blessed “Upper Room” to practice Your compassion and mercy.

Here is my commitment for this week:

 

Try to understand

Flout envy

Appreciate, be kind, be gentle

Laugh a little more.

Deserve confidence.   Amen

 

Breathe in me again before I end this meditation, O Holy Spirit, That my thoughts may all be holy.

 

Exit meditation.