Apr 26, 2026 Written by 

Word and Spirit

Jesus in today's Gospel emphasises that the Trinity dwells in those who keep his Word.

He then mentions the coming of the Holy Spirit, who will teach them all things and will be the "Memory" of the disciples.

Looking at Francis and Clare we realise how the Spirit of the Lord guided their lives and was their counsellor.

The Major Legend of St. Bonaventure attests how Francis allowed himself to be led and instructed by the Spirit in compiling the Regola non bollata (1221).

"Therefore, guided by the Holy Spirit, he climbed a mountain with two companions and there, fasting on bread and water, dictated the Rule, according to what the divine Spirit suggested to him during prayer.

Having descended the mountain, he entrusted it to his vicar for safekeeping. But since the latter, a few days later, told him that he had lost it through neglect, the Saint returned again to the solitude and immediately re-did it in all respects as if he had received the words from the mouth of God.

He then obtained confirmation, as he had desired, from the aforementioned Pope Honorius, in the eighth year of his pontificate.

To encourage the brothers to observe it fervently, he said that he had put nothing of his own into it, but had everything written down as it had been revealed to him by God" (FF 1084).

He considered the Holy Spirit to be the Minister General of the Order and was convinced that he spoke to everyone, especially the simple.

In the Second Life of Celano we read:

"When Francis took the tonsure, he often repeated to those who cut his hair:

«Take care not to make my crown too wide! For I want my simple brothers to have a part in my head».

He wanted the Order to be open equally to the poor and unlettered, and not only to the rich and learned.

«With God,' he said, 'there is no preference of persons, and the Holy Spirit, the Minister General of the Order, rests equally on the poor and the simple» " (FF 779).

His singular unity with the Spirit he bore witness to in life and in death.

"In the twentieth year of his conversion, he asked to be taken to St Mary of the Portiuncula, to render to God the spirit of life there where he had received the spirit of grace.

When he was brought there, in order to prove that, after the model of Christ-Truth, he had nothing in common with the world, during that illness so severe that it ended his suffering, he prostrated himself in fervour of spirit, all naked on the bare earth: thus, in that extreme hour in which the enemy could still unleash his wrath, he would be able to wrestle naked with him.

So lying on the earth, after having laid down his sackcloth, he lifted his face to heaven, according to his custom, totally intent on that heavenly glory, while with his left hand he covered the wound on his right side, that it might not be seen.

And he said to the brothers:

«I have done my part; let Christ teach you yours» (FF 1239).

And Clare, gripped by the Spirit of the Lord, expressed herself thus in the second letter addressed to Agnes of Bohemia:

«And do not believe, and do not let yourself be seduced by anyone who would try to lead you astray from this purpose or put obstacles in your way, to prevent you from bringing back to the Most High your promises with that perfection to which the Spirit of the Lord invited you» (FF 2876).

 

«But the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you» (Jn 14:26)

 

 

Monday 5th wk. in Easter  (Jn 14:21-26)

17 Last modified on Sunday, 26 April 2026 19:23
Teresa Girolami

Teresa Girolami è laureata in Materie letterarie e Teologia. Ha pubblicato vari testi, fra cui: "Pellegrinaggio del cuore" (Ed. Piemme); "I Fiammiferi di Maria - La Madre di Dio in prosa e poesia"; "Tenerezza Scalza - Natura di donna"; co-autrice di "Dialogo e Solstizio".

Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Spirit, defined as "another Paraclete" (Jn 14: 16), a Greek word that is equivalent to the Latin "ad-vocatus", an advocate-defender. The first Paraclete is in fact the Incarnate Son who came to defend man (Pope Benedict)
Spirito, definito "un altro Paraclito" (Gv 14,16), termine greco che equivale al latino "ad-vocatus", avvocato difensore. Il primo Paraclito infatti è il Figlio incarnato, venuto per difendere l’uomo (Papa Benedetto)
When Christians are truly convinced of this, their lives are transformed. This transformation results not only in a credible and compelling personal witness but also in an urgent and effective communication - likewise through the media - of a living faith which paradoxically increases as it is shared. It is consoling to know that all who bear the name Christian share this same conviction [John Paul II]
Quando i cristiani sono sinceramente convinti di questo, la loro vita si trasforma, e questa trasformazione si manifesta non solo nella testimonianza personale, ma anche nell'impellente ed efficace comunicazione - anche attraverso i media - di una fede viva che, paradossalmente, si accresce quando viene condivisa. È consolante sapere che tutti coloro che assumono il nome di cristiani condividono la stessa convinzione [Giovanni Paolo II]
It is sad to see good bishops, good people, but busy with many things, the finances, with this, that and the other… Prayer must take first place [Pope Francis]
È triste vedere bravi vescovi, bravi, gente buona, ma indaffarati in tante cose, l’economia, e questo e quell’altro e quell’altro… La preghiera al primo posto [Papa Francesco]
Work is part of God’s loving plan, we are called to cultivate and care for all the goods of creation and in this way share in the work of creation! Work is fundamental to the dignity of a person. Work, to use a metaphor, “anoints” us with dignity, fills us with dignity, makes us similar to God, who has worked and still works, who always acts (cf. Jn 5:17); it gives one the ability to maintain oneself, one’s family, to contribute to the growth of one’s own nation [Pope Francis]
Il lavoro fa parte del piano di amore di Dio; noi siamo chiamati a coltivare e custodire tutti i beni della creazione e in questo modo partecipiamo all’opera della creazione! Il lavoro è un elemento fondamentale per la dignità di una persona. Il lavoro, per usare un’immagine, ci “unge” di dignità, ci riempie di dignità; ci rende simili a Dio, che ha lavorato e lavora, agisce sempre (cfr Gv 5,17); dà la capacità di mantenere se stessi, la propria famiglia, di contribuire alla crescita della propria Nazione [Papa Francesco]
Dear friends, the mission of the Church bears fruit because Christ is truly present among us in a quite special way in the Holy Eucharist. His is a dynamic presence which grasps us in order to make us his, to liken us to him. Christ draws us to himself, he brings us out of ourselves to make us all one with him. In this way he also inserts us into the community of brothers and sisters: communion with the Lord is always also communion with others (Pope Benedict)
Cari amici, la missione della Chiesa porta frutto perché Cristo è realmente presente tra noi, in modo del tutto particolare nella Santa Eucaristia. La sua è una presenza dinamica, che ci afferra per farci suoi, per assimilarci a Sé. Cristo ci attira a Sé, ci fa uscire da noi stessi per fare di noi tutti una cosa sola con Lui. In questo modo Egli ci inserisce anche nella comunità dei fratelli: la comunione con il Signore è sempre anche comunione con gli altri (Papa Benedetto)

Due Fuochi due Vie - Vol. 1 Due Fuochi due Vie - Vol. 2 Due Fuochi due Vie - Vol. 3 Due Fuochi due Vie - Vol. 4 Due Fuochi due Vie - Vol. 5 Dialogo e Solstizio I fiammiferi di Maria

duevie.art

don Giuseppe Nespeca

Tel. 333-1329741


Disclaimer

Questo blog non rappresenta una testata giornalistica in quanto viene aggiornato senza alcuna periodicità. Non può pertanto considerarsi un prodotto editoriale ai sensi della legge N°62 del 07/03/2001.
Le immagini sono tratte da internet, ma se il loro uso violasse diritti d'autore, lo si comunichi all'autore del blog che provvederà alla loro pronta rimozione.
L'autore dichiara di non essere responsabile dei commenti lasciati nei post. Eventuali commenti dei lettori, lesivi dell'immagine o dell'onorabilità di persone terze, il cui contenuto fosse ritenuto non idoneo alla pubblicazione verranno insindacabilmente rimossi.