Day 7
The True Spirit of Obediencey

Yesterday in our petition to the Spirit, we asked Him to grant us the determination to refuse nothing that is from Him, and a disposition of total docility to His inspirations. But asking Him is one thing, getting ourselves prepared to act on it is another thing. We need to have faith that this petition is already granted to us, and there is no reason it isn't, knowing God's character and the nature of His love for us.

Nowadays, Christians put more emphasis in discerning God's will (we hear more people talk about it) but put not enough emphasis in our resolution to obey and act on His inspirations should they be unmistakably presented to us. We need to first work on those obvious inspirations. Sometimes, we look for special and exciting inspirations, while oftentimes, inspirations come from Jesus' teachings in the Bible or through the Church, the duties and roles in our lives, or even demands from our jobs, for example. While those are less flashy than what we might hope for, our docility to these obvious inspirations builds the foundation of our faithfulness to the “bigger” inspirations to come. Don't underestimate the power of persevering in the practices of working on these obvious wishes from God. The strengthening of our resolution to not neglect any one wish from God will eventually become the cornerstone upon which we become trustworthy enough to be entrusted with bigger tasks.

The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones.

(Luke 16:10)

Inspirations that appear when we attend to the daily routines in our lives sometimes demand us to submit ourselves to others. And this requires our humility, especially in situations where you need to submit yourself to someone whom you dislike. In order to fulfill God's wish at that moment (the duty of the moment), we may even need to bend over backwards especially when working with someone with an “opposite” character/workstyle. That requires so much patience and love on our part. But the Bible tells us that “for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.” (Bible: 1 John 4:20) Similarly, if one finds it hard to submit oneself to another person whom one sees should not expect to be any easier to obey God whom one cannot see.

You may say, “Oh, this is difficult!” Indeed, it is! But if we can consistently overcome this hurdle, we will have already removed one of the biggest stumbling blocks in our pursuit to be faithful to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit! And whenever we feel weak and incapable to go on, just go to the Spirit and seek for His help. Again, the persistence of His love towards us binds Himself to come to our aid, in haste!

Let us call to mind again what St. Faustina said,
“The shortest road (to holiness) is faithfulness
to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit.”
Here, we are again presented a choice to opt for this shortest road,
or not. If we do, stick on this route and persistently work hard on it.

Dear Holy Spirit, forgive me if I ever attempted to derail from the path to be faithful to your inspirations. Grant me the eyes of faith to look beyond the difficulties which present themselves against my desires and tastes, and to see clearly what it requires for me to work towards the goal of being docile to your wish. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Novena to the Holy Spirit:

Invocation Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love. O Holy Spirit, beloved of my soul, I adore you. Enlighten me, guide me, strengthen me, and console me. Tell me what to do, direct my every choice.I promise to submit myself to all you desire of me and to accept all that you permit to happen to me. Let me only know your will.Grant this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Day Seven Receiving the Spirit “Repentance”Acts 2:38: Repent and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins: and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
 
Meditation: Seek conscious contact with God more and more each day. Become aware of God’s abiding Presence during the day. Be conscious of His Spirit helping you. All that is done without God’s Spirit is passing. All that is done with God’s Spirit is life eternal.It is the flow of life eternal through the mind, body and spirit that cleanses hearts, restores and renews. Come to know God’s eternal life in you and renewing you.
 
Prayer of the Day: Lord, you said in your words that I am to repent; turn from sin and turn to you. Then I will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.Lord; cleanse me from all ungodliness and unrighteousness so that I may walk in the newness of life according to the Spirit of holiness.Thank you for your forgiveness and for hearing this prayer, for I pray in the Holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
 
Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

O Lord Jesus Christ, Who, before ascending into heaven, did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul, the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth, the Spirit of Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Your true disciples and animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.