"Those who have the Holy Spirit cannot endure themselves so well do they know their poor misery. The proud are those who have not the Holy Spirit. Worldly people have not the Holy Spirit, or if they have, it is only for a moment. He does not remain with them; the noise of the world drives Him away. A Christian who is led by the Holy Spirit has no difficulty in leaving the goods of this world, to run after those of heaven, he knows the difference between them. The eyes of the world see no farther than this life, as mine see no farther than this wall, when the church-door is shut. The eyes of the Christian see deep into eternity. To the man who gives himself up to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, there seems to be no world; to the world there seems to be no God. [...] We must therefore find out by whom we are led. If it is not by the Holy Ghost, we labor in vain, there is no substance nor savor in any thing we do. If it is by the Holy Ghost, we taste a delicious sweetness." Spirit of the Cure of Ars
CALL TO ACTION: Pray for the Gift of Fortitude.
By the gift of Fortitude the soul is strengthened against natural fear, and supported to the end in the performance of duty. Fortitude imparts to the will, an impulse and energy which move it to undertake without hesitancy, the most arduous tasks, to face dangers, to trample under foot human respect, and to endure without complaint, the slow martyrdom of even lifelong tribulation.
Source of quotation: "Fountain of Living Water" by Rev. A. A. Lambing LL.D., pages 55-56; Fr. Pustet & Co. Publishers and Booksellers (copyright 1907); Nihil Obstat: Remigius Lafort, S.T.L., Censor; Imprimatur: John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York
Photo by Viktor Forgacs