Servant of God Father Isaac Hecker wrote:

With our imperfections we cannot render ourselves perfect. One cannot give what he has not got. The image of God in the soul can only be rendered perfect by God; and God will do it if we only let him. The conscious life of the Holy Spirit working within us is the work of perfection until it takes entire possession of us. Every action of our lives must be directed to this end and have this in view. This alone is the fountain of true life and the only source of heavenly joy; the adaption of ourselves to the growth of the Holy Spirit in the soul. Who can complain whether free or in prison, whether in the cloister or in the world, whether in the church or in the street, that he finds nothing to do, when the divine work is always at hand and before him?

To see divine grace increase in the soul, growing more and more, spreading out on all sides, directions, striking deeper roots, blossoming and bearing fruit in the soul gives rise to the soul to a delight and admiration which borders on ecstasy. We should regard each thing in the light of the divine will. We should weigh each thing in the light of the divine will and not give it an importance that it does not have. See all things in their true place and in relation to another and act accordingly, in this consists true wisdom. There are certain primary convictions in each soul and they should be cultivated, nourished and not suppressed. Faithfulness to them brings out the good they are to do. These convictions should be to us a living source of life, flowing constantly – the voice of God in the soul.

The preceeding text was excerpted from, “Notes on the Spirit,” written by Father Hecker around the 1870s.

Commentary by Father Paul Robichaud, CSP

Servant of God Father Isaac Hecker believed that the principal spiritual director and guide in our lives is the Holy Spirit. We live in the age of the Spirit. God reveals himself to us first as Father and then as Son; the Father and Son send the Spirit upon us from heaven. The Spirit in turn enters our being and returns to the Son who then presents us to the Father. So the Spirit is not only present to us but is active, drawing us towards God and as Father Hecker says in this excerpt today deepening his presence within us and therefore helping us grow in Christian perfection.

From this reading of Father Hecker today, how is the Spirit deepening his presence in you? How do you “weigh” the things of your life in the light of the Spirit? How can the Spirit give you God’s perspective on your life?

About this series

Father Paul Robichaud, CSP, is the historian of the Paulist Fathers and postulator of the Cause of Father Hecker. His office is located at the Hecker Center in Washington, D.C.

If you have asked Father Hecker to pray for you or another person who is ill and you believe something miraculous has happened, please phone Father Robichaud at 202-269-2519 or write to [email protected] and tell him your story.