The Divine Counsellor
1. It is often difficult and unpleasant
to take advice from someone whom we dislike; but when we really like
somebody, his advice is always acceptable and we are inclined to take it
to heart. Counsel is the light of the soul, which points out to us
which path to follow. Often we are surrounded by darkness; we do not
know which way to turn, for uncertainty and discouragement have
paralysed our will. Now Jesus, as St. John tells us, is the light which
enlightens every man who comes into this world; He is full of grace and
truth. (John 1:9-14) If we love Jesus, we shall always receive from Him
the light and counsel which we need; His enlightenment is clear and His
counsel satisfies fully the needs of our hearts.
How can we have this
light and this counsel? Jesus speaks to our souls in many ways. He
speaks to us when we read the pages of the Gospel; when we recollect
ourselves in His presence during meditation; when we visit Him in the
Tabernacle and speak to Him really and truly present under the
Eucharistic species; and when we ask Him in all our difficulties for
holy inspirations which will guide us and direct us towards whatever is
good. God will never deny His light and counsel to a humble supplicant.
There are men from whom we may and should ask advice. There are
priests, who are the ministers of God and the authorised dispensers of
his grace. There is our confessor and spiritual director, who knows the
state of our soul and will be able to give us any spiritual advice which
we need. Finally, if we have the good fortune to meet a real Saint in
the course of our lives, we have met Jesus Himself. The Saints can speak
to us with the voice of God, for before advising us they have listened
to it in their own hearts.
In every necessity, difficulty, and
uncertainty of our lives, therefore, we should seek advice from our
confessor or spiritual director so that he may enlighten us and speak to
us in God’s name.
Then if we know any holy persons – and there
are always Saints in the Church – we should reveal to them the secrets
of our hearts and receive from them enlightenment, advice, and
consolation.
2. Nobody can speak to our souls with greater
efficacy than Jesus Christ. “Listen to the interior Master,” wrote St.
Margaret Mary Alacoque. “Never do anything without seeking His advice.”
Certain conditions are necessary, however, before we can hear the voice
of God in the intimacy of our hearts. First of all, there must be
silence and recollection. Jesus does not speak where there is noise and
dissipation; and even if He were to speak, His voice would not be heard.
It is necessary now and again – especially in moments of difficulty –
to remove ourselves from the external confusion of life so that we shall
be able to hear the voice of God. Then, it is true, we shall hear two
voices, and we shall hesitate… One is the voice of nature. When we feel
that we have been offended, it urges us to seek revenge or at least to
let our attitude be known. When temptations assail us and upset our
peace of mind, we hear a pleasant voice urging us to satisfy our sinful
inclinations. But there is another voice within us; it is gentle and
sweet like Jesus Himself; it is calm serene and lofty, like all that is
eternal. We must listen to this, not to the other; this we must accept
and follow with full deliberation, even if it entails grave sacrifice.
There must be sacrifice, for it is not sufficient to enter an
atmosphere of silence and recollection in order to listen to the voice
of Jesus, our divine Counsellor. We must also have the courage and the
Christian fortitude to put His advice and teaching into practice.
3. “Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth. Give me understanding, that I
may know Thy testimonies. Let not Moses nor any of the Prophets speak
to me; but speak Thou rather, O Lord God, the Inspirer and Enlightener
of all the Prophets… They may indeed sound forth words, but they give
not the spirit. Most beautifully do they speak; but if Thou be silent,
they inflame not the heart… They declare the commandments, but Thou
enablest us to fulfil them. They show the way, but Thou givest strength
to walk in it… Speak to me, that it may be some comfort to my soul, and
the amendment of my whole life; and also to Thy praise, glory, and
everlasting honour.” (Cf. Imit. of Christ, Bk. III, Chap. 2)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments are subject to deletion if they are not germane. I have no problem with a bit of colourful language, but blasphemy or depraved profanity will not be allowed. Attacks on the Catholic Faith will not be tolerated. Comments will be deleted that are republican (Yanks! Note the lower case 'r'!), attacks on the legitimacy of Pope Francis as the Vicar of Christ (I know he's a material heretic and a Protector of Perverts, and I definitely want him gone yesterday! However, he is Pope, and I pray for him every day.), the legitimacy of the House of Windsor or of the claims of the Elder Line of the House of France, or attacks on the legitimacy of any of the currently ruling Houses of Europe.