# Listen to the Holy Spirit
*2016-02-12*

> In this reflection for the first Friday of Lent, Bill Young discusses the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding us toward a deeper understanding of God's love.

## The Guidance of the Spirit

Today is Friday, February 12, the Friday after Ash Wednesday. We are reflecting on the theme 'Listen to the Holy Spirit,' drawing from the book Renew Our Hearts, a personal invitation to Lenten conversion from Pope Francis. In John 14:26, we are reminded that the Holy Spirit will teach us everything and remind us of all that Jesus has said to us.

## Seeing Through the Eyes of Christ

The Holy Spirit teaches us to see with the eyes of Christ, to live as Christ lived, and to understand life as Christ understood it. It is through the Holy Spirit that we learn we are loved by God as children. By His grace, we are enabled to live as children of God, just as Jesus did.

## Hearing the Message of Love

What does the Holy Spirit tell us? He tells us that God loves us and that God likes us. We must ask ourselves: do we truly love God and others as Jesus does? We should allow ourselves to be guided by the Holy Spirit, permitting Him to speak to our hearts and reveal that God is love, that He is waiting for us, and that He is the Father who loves us as a true father loves.

## Moving Forward in Mercy

Only the Holy Spirit can instill this truth in our hearts. Let us listen to the Holy Spirit who is within us and move forward on the path of love, mercy, and forgiveness. We must make a conscious effort to hear Him.

*Jesus, help me to listen more attentively to the message of the Holy Spirit.*