A.M.D.G.
Following Inspirations of the Holy Spirit
by Oswald Sobrino, M.A., based on Fr. Jacques Philippe's In the School of the Holy Spirit
I. First Principles
A. Only God Can Make Us Holy: "Holiness is not a program for life, but something obtained from God" (p. 17). Not Pelagianism.
B. What God Wants: "Holiness is only revealed to us by degrees, as we journey on, and it is often something very different from what we imagine . . . . What God wants is always different, always disconcerting; but ultimately it is infinitely more beautiful, because only God is capable of creating totally unique masterpieces, while we humans can only imitate" (18). We are not in ultimate control.
C. Not Perfectionism: "God calls us to perfection, but he is not a perfectionist. And perfection is reached not so much by external conformity to an ideal as by inner faithfulness to God's inspirations" (20). Result is joy, not frustration or anger.
D. The Power of the Holy Spirit: "When God inspires us to do something . . . at the same time he supplies the ability to do it, even if it is beyond our capacity or scares us at the start" (21). Trust and daring.
E. The Momentum: St. Faustina: "faithfulness to one grace attracts others" (quoted at 22). We actually become more loving, even with strangers!
F. Consolations from the Holy Spirit: Richard of St. Victor (12th century mystical theologian): "The pleasures of this world cannot satisfy the heart; and one single drop of the inner sweetness that the Holy Spirit pours into the soul, delights it utterly and causes it a holy inebriation" (quoted at 25). Fruits of Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23); gifts of prayer, contemplative, liturgical, and charismatic.
II. How to Foster Inspirations (Not Optional for the Christian): pp. 26-43.
1. Practice Praise and Thanksgiving. See Colossians 3:16-17;
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
2. Desire and Ask for Them: "Inspire me in all my decisions, and never let me neglect any of your inspirations" (29). Luke 11:9, 13; 1 Cor. 13:31; 14:1. Ask for new outpouring or baptism in the Holy Spirit.
3. Resolve to Refuse God Nothing.
4. Obey the Inspirations You Have Already Received.
5. Practice Abandonment to Events: "[A]fter we have done everything in our power, we are invited, faced with what is still imposed on our will by events, to practice an attitude of abandonment and filial trust toward our heavenly Father, in the faith that 'for those who love God, everything works together for good' " (33; quoting Romans 8:28).
6. Practice Detachment. "Since the object we are aiming at is good, we feel justified in wanting it with stubbornness that blinds us; and we don't realize that the way we want our idea to come about is not necessarily in accordance with God's plan" (36).
7. Practice Silence and Peace: "Silence is the opposite of the soul in curiosity, gossip, and so forth" (39).
8. Persevere Faithfully in Prayer: "[T]he personal, silent prayer that Jesus himself recommends to us: 'When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you' " (40; quoting Matt. 6:6, RSV). Other book: Time for God.
9. Examine the Movements of Our Hearts: "[W]e should live in such a habitual disposition of desire for God, inner calm, prayer, and attentiveness to what is happening within us that, if a movement of grace is born in our hearts, it is not swamped or lost in the 'background noise' of other things competing for our attention, but can emerge into our consciousness and be recognized as divine inspiration" (41). Daily Ignatian Examen prayer (see brochure).
10. Open Our Hearts to a Spiritual Director. "We therefore should pray as hard as we can to our Lord to give us someone we can open our hearts to, and should make use of the opportunities he offers us to that end . . . . However, we should not despair if, through no fault of our own, this does not happen often. If we sincerely desire a spiritual director but cannot find one, God will provide otherwise" (43). Caution: mature, trustworthy, experienced person manifesting fruits of the Holy Spirit. Frequent Confession. Daily Bible reading. Conversation with other serious Christians.
Bibliography: Fr. Jacques Philippe, In the School of the Holy Spirit (Scepter Press, 2007). Fr. Philippe is a retreat master living in Rome and is a member of the charismatic Community of the Beatitudes founded in France in 1973.
Notes: