Jn 16:12-15
I still have many things to tell you, but you cannot bear them now. When he, the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into the whole truth.
For he will not speak of his own authority, but will speak what he hears, and he will tell you about the things which are to come. He will take what is mine and make it known to you; in doing this, he will glorify me. All that the Father has is mine; for this reason, I told you that the Spirit will take what is mine, and make it known to you.
REFLECTION
The spiritual life of a seriously committed Christian involves a lot of prayer. In fact, prayer is practically the indispensable means to grow in intimacy with God (along with the daily practice of charity in action, word, and thought).
At the beginning of our spiritual journey, God encourages us by sending us pleasant feelings in prayer. However, he gradually withdraws these consolations so that we can seek him in pure faith. This is a long and painful process extending normally over decades. But if we are faithful to prayer and charity, our faith becomes as solid as rock, and we do not need consolations any more. But faith alone is a harsh discipline. However, if we remain faithful to prayer and charity, there comes a day when we become aware (this is not like a mere feeling, which comes and goes, it is a once-and-for-all knowledge) that, as Paul says in today’s first reading “in him (God) we live and move and have our being.” This awareness is the beginning of ordinary mystical life. All Christians are called to it. Those who are blessed with this awareness never again experience loneliness…
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