Cardinal Manning writes that we can make reparation to the
Holy Ghost in three ways. The first is through following His inspirations
promptly. Look at the damsel fly, as I add, and see how this creature turns
quickly over a stream and changes direction in its flight. So too, we must
swiftly respond to grace.
Second, and this is more difficult as it demands a generous
heart, we must respond according to the graces and inspirations given, not with the burying of the talent, but with
making more out of what is given.
Third, we must serve the Holy Ghost is complete purity of
heart. Now, the Cardinal gives way to achieve this purity, some of which were
pointed out to me long ago.
Firstly, “…hunt down and slay your little faults; he that is
faithful in that which is the least is faithful also in that which is greater;
and they who will hunt down, and slay, and exterminate their little faults, be
sure of it, will never willingly commit greater sins.”
Secondly, Manning advises us to do all our “little duties”…”with
great exactness”.
The last words from this book on this blog are on the
horrible spiritual warfare we are experiencing now and which Manning saw in his
day.
I shall end with the same prayer which ends his book.
“O God the Holy Ghost,
Whom I have slighted, grieved, resisted from my childhood unto this day, reveal
unto me they personality, Thy presence, Thy power. Make me know Thy sevenfold
gifts: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, of counsel and fortitude, of
knowledge and piety, and of the fear of the Lord; and make me to be of quick
understanding in the fear of the Lord. O Thou Who art the Spirit of the Father
and the Son, O Thou Who are the love of the Father and the Son, O Thou Who
baptisest with fire, and sheddest abroad the love of God in our hearts, shed
abroad Thy love in my heart. One thing have I desired of the Lord: that will I
seek after: not wealth, rank, power, worldly home, worldly happiness, or any
worldly good, but one drop of that holy flame, one drop of that heavenly fire, to
kindle me and set me on fire with the love of my God.
Let that holy flame
burn up and consume in me every spot and soil of the flesh and of the spirit.
Purify me sevenfold with the fire of Thy love. Consume me as a holy sacrifice
acceptable unto Thee. Kindle me with zeal, melt me with sorrow, that I may live
the life and die the death of a fervent penitent.”
