27th September

The Fulness Of The Holy Spirit

Be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5: 18

In 1931 Seraphim asked his young God-seeker, Motovilov:
‘What are you feeling, friend of God?’. ‘I’m amazingly warm’ his friend replied. ‘Warm? What are you saying my friend? We are in the depths of the forest, in mid-winter, the snow lies under our feet and is settling on our clothes. How can you be warm?’ ‘It’s the warmth one feels in a hot bath’. ‘Does it smell like that?’ ‘Oh no! Nothing on earth can compare to this. There’s no scent in all the world like this one!’ ‘I know,’ said Father Seraphim, ‘for it is the same with me. I’m only questioning you to find out what you are discovering. It is indeed true, friend of God, that no scent on earth can compare to this fragrance, because it comes from the Holy Spirit… The warmth isn’t in the air, it is within us. This is what the Holy Spirit causes us to ask God for when we cry to him “Kindle in us the fire of the Holy Spirit”. Warmed by it, hermits are not afraid of winter hardship, protected as they are by the mantle of grace which the Holy Spirit has woven for them … Now you know, my friend, what it is like to be in the fullness of the Holy Spirit.’
Seraphim of Zarov

The fifteen strengths of the soul: the strength of faith, the strength of gentleness, the strength of humility, the strength of patience, the strength of mortification, the strength of obedience, the strength of charity, the strength of justice, the strength of mercy, the strength of generosity, the strength of forgiveness, the strength of serenity, the strength of moderation, the strength of holiness, the strength of divine love.
Colman mac Beognae The Alphabet of Devotion

Spirit of God
the breath of creation is yours.
Spirit of God
the groans of the world are yours.
Spirit of God
the wonder of communion is yours.
Spirit of God
the fire of love is yours.
And we are filled
And we are filled