Our saint for today, St. Philip Neri was born at Florence, Italy in 1515. He was an impetuous and spontaneous youth. In fact one incident almost cost him his life. Seeing a donkey loaded with fruit for market, the little boy had barely formed the thought of jumping on the donkey's back before he had done it. The donkey, surprised, lost his footing, and donkey, fruit, and boy tumbled into the cellar with the boy winding up on the bottom! Miraculously he was unhurt! God had other plans for the boy!
Philip as a young man was prayerful, interested somewhat in learning, but even moreso interested in helping other people – especially in learning about the spiritual life. He became a priest in 1551 and founded an Oratory where spiritual reading, singing and works of charity were practiced. Philip excelled in his love of neighbor, his gospel-oriented simplicity and joyous service to God. He died in 1595 at the age of 80.
For a moment today, perhaps we can focus our attention on the role of the "spiritual director" – which was St. Philip Neri's chief activity. He applied all the impetuosity and spontaneity of his youth to this very much needed job. The first reading strongly urges us, as St. Paul urged the Thessalonians, to think rejoice in the Lord always, to pray to him, petition him and thank him all day and night long – in one way or another – so that the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. He also encourages them to constantly think about whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, gracious and excellent. He basically is telling them to not stray from what they have learned from their teachers in the faith.
This is what spiritual direction is all about: having someone who knows the ropes, remind you of the things mentioned above, and guide you in applying them to the realities of life as you face them. It is in this way: in not only reading Scripture and listening to a homily; but also by studying what you have heard, discussing it with someone who has some God-given authority to help you practically put into practice - that you will remain in Jesus and bear much fruit.
We ought to want the very best for ourselves. We ought to go to the professionals for help! The priests and those who have studied matters of the faith can be of assistance to us. One of the most sadly unused resources in the Catholic Church in our day is spiritual direction. By rights priests ought to be turning away in great numbers those wanting guidance and affirmation of their own religious practices because of sheer numbers – but currently I have only one spiritual directee.
I exhort you to ask questions, to discuss, to seek spiritual guidance for whatever you need from me or any other priest: that is one of the main reasons why we are here: and no one of us ought ever to be too busy to do our job!
Remain in my love, says the Lord; whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit.
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