In what direction are we being guided by the Holy Spirit today?by Fr Paul Cooney sm  In Italy there is a flower which blooms only when the wind blows in a certain way. When the wind blows from the south and caresses the course, dull exterior of the plant, it opens up to reveal a delicate, colourful blossom inside. It displays its beauty as long as the warm wind blows from the south.
The people who live in that region know the direction of the wind when they see the countryside ablaze with the flowers. But as soon as the wind changes, it closes, withers and dies.
When the Spirit of God blows, we know by the evidence of what we see. There is peace, patience, kindness, generosity, gentleness, faith, courtesy and love. Are not these qualities a fitting description of Mary? Fr Jean Coste, a wonderful French Marist, who died some years ago, once wrote:
“It was the Holy Spirit who guided Mary and fashioned her soul; it was the Holy Spirit who inspired and helped Father Colin to understand the mystery of Mary; it is the Holy Spirit who, working in the Church and in the Society which forms part of it, enables Marists to discover today how they can follow in the footsteps of Mary and their Founder.”
In what direction are we being guided by the Holy Spirit today? Where is the Spirit’s warm, life-giving breeze calling us to blossom?
In each of our lives there will be many moments when we can respond in the freedom of the Holy Spirit, or reject that impulse and let ourselves wither.
A friend comes to you in distress. You talk for a while and encourage them. They go away with a new outlook. The Spirit has been at work.
You have a nagging worry that you know you must do something about. You pluck up courage and act. You feel peaceful again. The Spirit has been at work.
You see an injustice that cries out. You are moved to act with compassion and love. The Spirit has been at work. May the Holy Spirit guide each of us and fashion our souls.
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