The grace of his baptism had come alive in Francis in his experience. The same awakening of the gift is offered to each of us.
So tomorrow's feast of the Holy Trinity is not meant as a theology lesson. It stirs up in us not only a spirit of awe and adoration before the Most High, but also confidence, assurance and joy in the God who has lifted us up into his own intimate fellowship.
The Spirit of God penetrates our most intimate personal depths. From there we can cry out in love and trust: 'Abba, dear Father.' The Spirit places us within the very rhythm of the divine life, allowing us participate personally in the love that exist between the Father and the Son.
That is why love and prayer are going on in us, at the deepest level where our spirit has been touched and enlivened by the Holy Spirit. Our prayer can seem to us such a poor thing, so distracted, so ‘unsuccessful’. But we do not see the reality. Our prayer is one with the communion of love between Jesus and the Father, this communion which is the Holy Spirit. The Spirit becomes the soul of our soul, the most secret part of our being, from which rises unceasingly to God a movement of prayer.
I can see why Francis and the other saints keep reminding us: be careful that your understanding of the gift is not too small, your vision too limited, your hope too paltry.
The deepest things we need are not elsewhere. We are in God; we live in God; we journey to God in God.
I can see why Francis and the other saints keep reminding us: be careful that your understanding of the gift is not too small, your vision too limited, your hope too paltry.
The deepest things we need are not elsewhere. We are in God; we live in God; we journey to God in God.
