In this Lucan Gospel passage, Jesus emphasises the Holy Spirit, who guides and enlightens in the most diverse and difficult situations.
S. Teresa of Avila, in one of her prayers, said:
"O Holy Spirit, grant that my soul may be wholly of God".
In the Franciscan Sources we see, then, the Poor Man of Assisi, a man of God, firmly believing in the Holy Spirit, who was considered the Minister General of the Order, as well as the One who inspired and spoke through the simple.
He was always listening to the Holy Spirit who was never to be offended and his holy operation that accompanies every good work.
"And since he made many revelations, which transcended the capacities of the human intellect, the brothers had to recognise that the Spirit of the Lord had rested in all its fullness upon his servant Francis: therefore the surest thing for them was to follow his doctrine and his life" (FF 1071).
He did not fear, for "The Spirit of the Lord, who had anointed and sent him, assisted his servant Francis wherever he went; Christ himself, the power and wisdom of God, assisted him [...].
It was, his word, like a burning fire, penetrating the depths of the heart" (FF 1210).
He believed so profoundly in the "instruction" and defence of the Spirit of God in every eventuality that he clearly testified to this in that marvellous prayer that concludes the letter to the whole Order:
"Almighty, eternal, just and merciful God, grant to us wretches to do, by the power of your love, what we know you want, and to always want what pleases you, so that, inwardly purified, inwardly enlightened and kindled by the fire of the Holy Spirit we may follow in the footsteps of your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and, with the help of your grace alone, come to you, O Most High, who in perfect Trinity and simple Unity live and reign glorious, Almighty God for ever and ever. Amen".
"And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him; but he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven" (Lk 12:10).
Saturday, 28th wk. in O.T. (Lk 12:8-12)