“If we lose the thread of the spiritual life, if a thousand problems and thoughts assail us, let us heed Paul’s advice,” Pope Francis said on October 27, as he continued his reflection on the Letter to the Galatians in his weekly general audiences.
To reboot the spiritual life, the path is simple. Here’s what he recommends:
13 steps
Let us place ourselves in front of Christ Crucified, let us begin again from Him.
Let us take the Crucifix in our hands, holding it close to our heart. Or we can even take some time in adoration before the Eucharist, where Jesus is Bread broken for us, Crucified, Risen, the power of God who pours out his love into our hearts.
And now, still guided by Saint Paul, let us take another step. Let us ask ourselves: What happens when we meet Jesus Crucified in prayer?
2The Spirit flows forth
What will happen, Pope Francis said, is “the same thing that happened under the cross: Jesus gave up his Spirit (cf. Jn 19:30), that is, he gives his own life. And the Spirit which flows forth from Jesus’ Passover is the origin of the spiritual life. He changes hearts, our works [don’t]. He is the one who changes the heart, not the things that we do, but the action of the Holy Spirit in us changes our heart!”
The Pope said that it is always thanks to the Holy Spirit that we “continue to engage in our spiritual battle.”
And today we celebrate...