I was moved by the following quote from Father Raniero Cantalamessa, O.F.M.Cap, regarding the Holy Spirit:
Every time someone has a genuine, strong experience of the Spirit, the most vivid memory of the moment that the person retains is of an intense perception of the Father's love. Witnessing to this, someone said: "All my life long, I had felt unloved. The next day, that feeling vanished entirely. I felt myself immersed in a new experience of the love of God, and from that day it has never left me."This is the most beautiful moment of any creature's life: to know that one is loved, personally, by God, and to find oneself in the flood of love that flows between Father and Son, enfolded in their love, sharing their passionate love for the world. And all of this in one instant, without any need to think about it or for words to say it.
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Therese, thanks for Father Raniero's quote. I went to his website, hoping to find it and the text surrounding it. No luck.
When I clicked on one of his books, Sobering Intoxication of the Spirit (shown at the bottom of his home page), he refers to his "baptism of the Spirit" experience in 1977, somewhere in New Jersey. In other words, he is a charismatic priest.
During Sunday's readings, I was "hit" with the words, "No one can call Jesus Lord except by the Holy Spirit".
"No one can call Jesus Lord except by the Holy Spirit".
***What a profound sentiment. Thank you for sharing. Sadly, I don't think all of us are opento the baptism of the spirit. Our prachutes(minds)and our hands are too tightly closed or our faith isn't strong enough to "let" ourselves feel that deeply. I also believe that the eperience is different for each of us; some DON'T speak in tongues or get"happy feet" Othrs might.Simply basking in His love is about all I can personally handle; it provides an inner warmth akin to that of a belt of high octane whiskey without the resultant hangover or other negative side effects.
Please know that my remark above was not meant to offend or trivialize the experience;OF COURSE I know that the Holy Spirit is a far more desireable entity than liquor.
Margaret, I totally agree with your comments. Thanks for your input. I have to believe God knows what he is doing and works with our personalities and where we are coming from.
that was beautiful and inspirational. thank you and God bless.
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