The Spirit Within
A child, Mei was in prison with her Christian mother during the religious oppression in China in the 1950s. She had a deep faith in what she was taught: that the Holy Spirit comes to the Christians in Confirmation. Mei requested and received the Holy Spirit in this way. Meanwhile, without knowing, Chinese guards let Mei run freely in the prison. When Christians outside the prison found a way to smuggle Communion into the prison, it was Mei who gave it to prisoners-even those in solitary detention. She said, "I'm not afraid: the Spirit is within me."
A clear sign of the works of the Spirit within her.
Another example is from the life of our saint today: Catherine of Sienna. She was the youngest of twenty-five children and was spiritually talented. She had various mystical experiences, and wanted to enter religious life, though her parents did not agree with her. They tried everything to persuade her to leave her dream but it was useless. She became a member of the Third Order of Dominican.
However, all was not sweetness and light; she was afflicted with terrible temptations. After a long struggle of these, she asked the Lord where he was when she was enduring such awful trials. His answer: “I was in your heart, strengthening you by my grace.” In addition to her penances and mystical experiences, she devoted herself to nursing the most horrible of cases. She had the gift of reading people’s minds. She became skilled in diplomacy, and was able to reconcile the conflicting parties within the church. A strong-willed person, she even told the pope “where to go” – i.e. from Avignon back to Rome.
Her life became a clear sign that The Lord, through the Holy Spirit works in her.
What are signs that may indicate the Spirit is at work in my life?
The Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self control. Galatians 5:22-23