In a world that keeps refuting the light in order to foolishly embrace the darkness, the Christian faith is all the more needed to propose Jesus Christ, once again, as the way, the truth and the life that leads to the Father (see John 14: 6).

The moral, political and social chaos which prevails in our world means there is a craving for God’s great and providential intervention. The senseless lives many people are leading, especially when they feel trapped by their own hurts and prejudices against their brothers and sisters, are calling for redemption and freedom.

The Holy Spirit is the solution. We must not tire of invoking him by the words of Psalm 104 which says: “Send forth your Spirit, Lord, and renew the face of the earth!” In his 42th of his Ascetical Homilies, Saint Isaac the Syrian gives an intriguing dynamic of the Holy Spirit’s workings in the individual.

“...In proportion to your humility you are given patience in your woes; and in proportion to your patience the burden of your afflictions is made lighter and you will find consolation; in proportion to your consolation, your love of God increases; and in proportion to your love, your joy in the Holy Spirit is magnified. Once men have truly become His sons, our tenderly compassionate Father does not take away their temptations from them when it is His pleasure to ‘make for them a way to escape’ (1 Cor. 10:13), but instead He gives His sons patience in their trials. All these good things are given into the hand of their patience for the perfecting of their souls.”

Holy Spirit wake me up from my self-defeatism and give me enough faith an d courage to entrust my life into your sanctifying hands. Amen.