20 September, Antonio, Cardinal Bacci: Meditations For Each Day

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)