examination of the heart 230 SUNDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF THE ASCENSION95 Before Holy Communion 1. “When the Paraclete comes” (cf. Jn 15:26). Consider that the Holy Spirit comes to us for a threefold reason: 1) to set on fire; 2) to console; and 3) to convict. He sets the frigid and the lukewarm on fire, whereby they advance more fervently on the road of virtue. He consoles the afflicted, whereby they love the gracious God even more, realizing His great care and goodness toward them. He convicts the disobedient, the sinners, and the wicked, whereby they come to their senses faster, give up their depraved conduct, avoid lying, and adhere to truth. As for you, implore that the grace of the Holy Spirit may rest in you always: if you become lukewarm may you be inflamed by this grace; if grief distresses you, may you burst forth in ever more remarkable acts of divine love, having been comforted by the Spirit; if you divert from the road of virtue and the pursuit of truth, then having been brought back on it and convicted by this grace may you be able to say: If the Lord had not helped me, if He had not convicted me, little was wanting, lest my soul would have dwelt in hell (cf. Ps 93:17). Being so strongly fortified, may you be able to run continuously in the way of God’s commandments. 2. “whom I shall send to you” (Jn 15:26). Consider that every spirit that Christ did not send is a liar. Such was the one in the mouth of the prophets of the king of Samaria. Such is the one in the speeches of the modern heretics who, being teachers of falsehood, sow new doctrines, invent new gospels, and reject the traditions of the ancient fathers and the writings and dogmas used from the very beginning in Christ’s Church. Their spirit is the spirit of lies, which is not sent by Christ, the Truth Himself, but instilled by the father of lies, the devil. 95 In the Novus Ordo this Sunday is the “Seventh Sunday of Easter,” or in dioceses where the Ascension is transferred from Thursday to Sunday, “The Ascension of the Lord” is celebrated on this day.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjI2Mw==