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Our wounds often prevent us from treating one another as brothers and sisters.
The Holy Spirit labors intensely in the deep places of our hearts to heal patterns of pain, abuse, dysfunction, and bitter memories, which very often influence our own actions in ways that are difficult for us to understand.
No automatic cure or magic exists to dispel such wounds. But that does not thwart the many ways the Holy Spirit seeks daily inroads into our soul, and the mercy He longs to apply to our hearts.
So often, in our pain and misunderstanding, we turn away from Him and flinch as He draws close.
The meek person is the one who has begun to welcome the Holy Spirit.
The meek are not hapless and naïve persons who shrink from any risk or vulnerability. The prophet Joel proclaims that the meek man shall be a warrior (cf. Jl 4:10).
Meek persons are not passive.
Rather, they have not only learned the ways of the world, but they also have seen too much of the world. They know the signs of deception, negativity, and falsity.
At the same time, their way of thinking is gentle and childlike.
Meekness is a special and rare form of love. It is love that has been purified of anger.
As we hear the Beatitudes proclaimed in the Gospel today, welcome the Holy Spirit and His healing.
God bless,
Msgr. Bransfield
