Theological Foundations new file

101 The Role of the Holy Spirit if they are not directed by a righteous intention, and if they are not put to proper use. St. Paul warns that the gift of tongues will cease, the knowledge will pass away, the prophecies will pass away, but love never ends (cf. 1 Cor 13, 8). He says so not because he does not appreciate God’s gifts but because he wants to point to love as their foundation. 13 Mary was best disposed to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the greatest things that happened in her life were his work: “She was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit” (Mt 1, 18). The one who was full of grace conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is both a mystery of faith and a tremendous grace. This grace manifests itself also in the con- duct of a Christian, in his actions, when they come from the Holy Spirit. It is a great happiness to have the Holy Spirit, even greater — to act in Him, but the greatest happiness is to end one’s days in the Holy Spirit. 14 In the life of St. Elizabeth, too, the work of the Holy Spirit is evident. “When Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit” (Lk 1, 41). It is easy to see here that joy accompanies the Holy Spirit. But our author uses the opportunity to console those who do not have a reason to rejoice. “Consider, however, that you should not always avoid sadness for sadness is not always bad. Very often a great and true spirit contin- ues to dwell in a sad heart, the spirit which compels this heart to sadness, so that it would not be distracted; as joy would cause its distraction. Therefore, be convinced that joy is not always good, and sadness is not always bad. Therefore even the prophet himself said, ‘The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth’ ” (cf. Eccles 7, 4). 15 For Father Papczynski, the words of Jesus addressed to the disciples after His resurrection: “Receive the Holy Spirit!” (Jn 20, 22) are an opportunity to consider what kind of spirit it is that seizes man and what kind of spirit it is that he usually gives in to in the daily practice of spir- itual life. Objecting to the will of the superiors, condescension, eager- ness for superiority and honors, a desire to exert control over others, to attain recognition and respect — all of these come from the evil spirit.