Thursday of the 7th week of Eastertide
Acts 22:30,23:6-11 | Psalm 15(16):1-2,5,7-11 | John 17:20-26
Saint Justin, Martyr
1 Corinthians 1:18-25 | Psalm 33(34):2-9 | Matthew 5:13-19
Now Paul was well aware that one section was made up of Sadducees and the other of Pharisees, so he called out in the Sanhedrin, ‘Brothers, I am a Pharisee and the son of Pharisees. It is for our hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.’ (Acts 23:6)
Such is the power of the Spirit’s good counsel that, while surrounded by the ravenous lions of the Sanhedrin, St. Paul was able to utter a few simple words that turned them against each other.
Did he lie? No.
Did he take advantage of inherent divisions? Certainly, but without the Spirit’s guidance, I doubt he would’ve been able to find the right words at the right time.
Similarly, we’ve all had occasion to call on the Spirit for guidance in difficult situations. I’m sure that, for the most part, we’ve been guided safely through those situations, though perhaps not without a few singed eyebrows to remind us not to enter such situations in the future.
Consider what would be possible, if we called on the Spirit in good times as well as in bad. Imagine how we could be directed towards God at all times, making choices that might not be the most advantageous, but would always be the most holy.
Imagine what would be possible, when on this seventh day of the Novena to the Holy Spirit, we “outsource” our judgement to the Spirit, for the rest of our lives.
The gift of Counsel endows the soul with supernatural prudence, enabling it to judge promptly and rightly what must done, especially in difficult circumstances. Counsel applies the principles furnished by Knowledge and Understanding to the innumerable concrete cases that confront us in the course of our daily duty as parents, teachers, public servants, and Christian citizens. Counsel is supernatural common sense, a priceless treasure in the quest of salvation. “Above all these things, pray to the Most High, that He may direct thy way in truth.”
Come, O Spirit of Counsel, help and guide me in all my ways, that I may always do Thy holy will. Incline my heart to that which is good; turn it away from all that is evil, and direct me by the straight path of Thy commandments to that goal of eternal life for which I long. Amen.