Day 15 Admonition 12

Day 15 Admonition 12 Of Knowing The Spirit Of God.   Thus may the servant of God know if he has the Spirit of God: if when the Lord works some good through him, his body—since it is ever at variance with all that is good—is not therefore puffed up; but if he rather becomes viler in his own sight and if he esteems himself less than other men.   [1] Cod O and Is. read “If therefore his body is puffed up, he has not the Spirit of God. If, however, he becomes rather viler in his own sight, then he truly has the Spirit of God.”

Of Discernment.     The Discerning of Spirits is one of the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. The ability is given by the Holy Spirit to determine whether something is of God, the Devil or Man. In this case the servants of God may discern the Spirit of God working within them, if, when they see the good the Lord works in them they are humbled. We are of the 21st century and our spirituality v’s sense of self ought to reflect that. Christians today still seem to be held captive of Biblical/13th Century concepts of Ego and self-hood. We are still tempted, wooed even, by the concept of being emptied of all sense of personal identity for the greater good of our souls’. A dichotomy that serves us no good. Francis speaks of becoming ‘rather viler in his own sight’. More disgusting in his own site or in his own opinion of himself. Why should we revile ourselves when God uses us to do good for others? Just how vile ought we to become when God has completed God’s work in us?

Robinson, P. 1906,The Writings of Saint Francis of Assisi [1906]   The Online Library of Liberty A Project Of Liberty Fund, Inc.