Life in the Spirit (8)

First a recap. Life in the Spirit consist of three Activities, involves three of God’s Attributes, and three Guiding Principles. We have previously talked about the first of these:

• The first Guiding Principle: Crack open the door (pray) and God will do the rest.
• The first Activity: Prayer.
• The first Attribute: God relates to us as the unique individuals we are.

We turn now to the second Activity: Listening. The Catechism tells us: 

We learn... by hearing the Word of the Lord and sharing in his Paschal mystery, but his Spirit is offered us at all times, in the events of each day… it is in the present that we encounter him, not yesterday nor tomorrow, but today: “O that today you would hearken to his voice!” (CCC 2659)

From Psalm 85:8 

Let me hear what God the Lordwill speak, for he will speak peace… to those who turn to him in their hearts

In the School of the Holy Spirit by Jacques Philippe

The motions of the Spirit are delicate touches that… penetrate our spiritual consciousness only if we have within ourselves a sort of calm zone of silence and peace. If our inner world is noisy and agitated, the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit will find it very difficult to be heard. 

In the final analysis listening is a matter of the heart, a desire. If you desire to listen to God, to hear the inspirations of the Holy Spirit, let Him know that in your prayer. Open the door a crack, and God will do the rest.