Taught by the Spirit of God
Thanks be to thee, my Lord Jesus Christ, for all the pains and insults thou hast borne for me, and all the benefits thou hast given me. O most merciful Redeemer, Friend, and Brother: Grant that I may see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, and follow thee more nearly, day by day.
Amen.
(Richard of Chichester)
John 16:12-15 NRSV
“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason, I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
Augustine
Beloved, you should not expect to hear from us what the Lord refrained from telling his disciples because they were still unable to bear them. Rather, seek to grow in the love that is shed abroad in your hearts by the Holy Spirit who is given to you so that, fervent in spirit and loving spiritual things, you may be able – not by any sign apparent to your bodily eyes or any sound striking on your bodily ears but by the inward eyesight and hearing – to become acquainted with that spiritual light and that spiritual word that carnal people are unable to bear. For that cannot be loved that is altogether unknown. But when what is known, in however small a measure, is also loved, by the same love, one is led on to a better and fuller knowledge. If, then, you grow in the love that the Holy Spirit spreads abroad in your heart, “He will teach you all truth,” or, as the other codices have it, “He will guide you in all truth;” as it is said, “Lead me in your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth.” So shall the result be that not from outward teachers will you learn those things that the Lord at that time declined to utter, but you will be taught by God, so that the very things that you have learned and believed by means of lessons and sermons supplied from without . . . your minds may have the power to perceive.
(Tractates on the Gospel of John)
Gracious and holy Father,
Please give me intellect to understand you, reason to discern you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, a spirit to know you, a heart to meditate upon you, ears to hear you, eyes to see you, a tongue to proclaim you, a way of life pleasing to you, patience to wait for you, and perseverance to look for you. Grant me a perfect end, your holy presence, a blessed resurrection, and life everlasting.
Amen.
(Benedict of Nursia)
Come, Holy Ghost, Our Hearts Inspire
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Corinthians 4.15).
