There is Hope!

Act in me, O Holy Spirit!

Breathe in me, O’ Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work too, may be holy. Draw 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 be holy. Amen. -St. Augustine of Hippo

Recall the opening prayer to the Holy Spirit by St. Augustine, St. Augustine is giving us a key to understanding how we as Beloved Disciples engage day to day tasks in the world.  

1.     Are my thoughts Holy? Do I profane the Lord by selfish and impure thoughts? Am I filling my mind with the wisdom of the Sacred Heart of Jesus?

2.     Is my work Holy? Do I serve others in my daily tasks whether at work, church, and home? Or do I simply “come and get mine,” and refuse to pick up my cross for the sake of others if it isn’t convenient for me

3.     Do I love what is Holy? One of the conditions of a plenary indulgence is the detachment from all sin. Is there some sin in my life that dominates me? Do I deafen my ear from the heart of Christ by the desire to keep sinning and refusing to look at the world with Christ, but instead becoming a part of the world?

4.     Do I defend what is Holy? Do I pray? Do I openly reject the doctrines and teachings of the Church? Am I disrespectful toward the Pope or our Bishop? Am I reverent at mass? Do I voice concern when I see sacrilege at mass or other places? Do I preach the Gospel? Do I promote holiness at work, church, and home?

St. Paul writes to the Thessalonians to pray unceasingly—without God we can do nothing. The pandemic has changed a lot in our communities, and some may be concerned with opportunist who will attempt to minimize the Christian moral conscience in the culture.

Quite frankly, I am hopeful for the Church—the Body of Christ—by keeping our ears on the Sacred Heart of Jesus we can help ignite a great Catholic reawakening. Our parish communities by keeping our hearts close to the heart of Christ can use this period of suffering to help bring goodness by the grace of God to our neighbors.