Ever a source of good information, Zenit.org published a great little piece from Pope Benedict XVI’s visit with priests, deacons and seminarians of the Diocese of Bolzano-Bressanone in Italy — “Can’t Give What You Don’t Have, Pontiff Recalls: Urges Christians to Stay Close to Holy Spirit“.
One seminarian asked the pope,
“Holy Father, how can we live the gifts of the Holy Spirit in practice, here in our country and in our daily lives, in such a way that our relatives, friends and acquaintances feel and experience his power, and how can we exercise our mission as Christ’s witnesses?”
The Pope answered by recalling the experience of World Youth Day (an event in Sydney which was dedicated to the theme of the Holy Spirit) and how participants and spectators saw
“that faith today is a force that is present, a force that can give people the right orientation. This is why there was a moment in which we truly felt the breath of the Holy Spirit who sweeps away prejudices, who makes people understand that yes, here we find what closely affects us; this is the direction in which we must go; and in this way we can live, in this way the future unfolds.”
Benedict XVI acknowledged, however, that in daily life, “it is far more difficult in practice to perceive the action of the Holy Spirit.”
“In the end, it is the Lord who helps us but we must be available as instruments,” he continued. “I would say simply: No one can give what he does not personally possess; in other words we cannot pass on the Holy Spirit effectively or make him perceptible to others unless we ourselves are close to him.”
The Holy Father went on to encourage his listeners to remain “within the radius of the Holy Spirit’s breath, in contact with him. Only if we are continually touched within by the Holy Spirit, if he dwells in us, will it be possible for us to pass him on to others.”
Do go on to read the whole article and let me know your thoughts on it, what it means to you and in your life.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Ann 08.20.08 at 12:38 pm
Strolling in the garden of the Holy Spirit - a great read.
algie 09.25.08 at 8:42 am
yes, it is true. we cant give what we dont have. let us first be filled with Holy Spirit before we assume to share it to others. holiness and life of perfcection starts on us personally before we can expect from others to be such.