Sunday After the Ascension
The Gift of Counsel
Preparation. - Of the gifts that perfect our understanding we shall begin with the gift of counsel and consider, in the first place, its necessity and usefulness, and secondly, the means of increasing it in our soul. Let us strive by means of these considerations to renew within us the spirit of docility, which will cause us to pray, reflect, consult, in our doubts and faithfully follow the guidance of the grace. "My son, do thou nothing without counsel" (Eccli. 32. 24).
I. Necessity And Usefulness Of The Gift Of Counsel.
Prudence is a virtue of practical reason, which indicates what we should do or omit, in order to act according to God. This virtue is assisted and perfected by the gift of counsel, which renders us docile to the direction of the Holy Ghost, particularly in difficult matters.
Without this gift what can we become, unless hasty in judging, heedless in our words, inconsiderate in our proceedings, rash in danger? Without it we are wanting in precaution and watchfulness in our conduct; we are, at one time, too eager in our actions, at another, very neglectful, and therefore we become inconstant, following our momentary taste, whim or impulse, rather than the light of the Holy Ghost.
With this gift, on the contrary, we are able to flee danger, to avoid sin, to employ the best means of sanctification (Prov. 2. 11, 12). Then our deeds and words are not the outcome of feeling or passion, but are always calm, circumspect and sufficiently deliberate. Witness St. Vincent de Paul, who, when consulted, would give his answer only after long prayer and reflection. In fact, the saints rely more on the light of grace than on the natural resources of our weak reason.
Let us always act thus when we have to resolve upon any matter. Thereby we shall do every thing calmly, without inordinate haste, and carefully fulfill our duties, without worry, without feverish excitement to get through in a hurry. Why do our occupations not afford us time for prayer? Is it not because of our lack of order and foresight in what we do? If we were recollected and submissive to the guidance of the Holy Ghost, how many apparent impossibilities would vanish in the performance of our duties!
O my God, give me the grace to avoid all the defects opposed to the gift of counsel, that is, excessive slowness and excessive activity, the multiplicity of thoughts and desires, preoccupation and anxiety, in a word, whatever prevents in me the calm and serenity so necessary for deliberation. Deign to enlighten me in my ways, so that I may in all things accomplish Thy holy will.
II. Means Of Increasing In Us The Gift Of Counsel.
We all received this gift in baptism. To increase and perfect it in us, let us not merely ask it of God, but also fulfill certain conditions favorable to its exercise. The first is to renounce the inclinations hindering the calm of our soul and the maturity of our judgement. The saints were always masters of themselves. St. Francis de Sales had made this agreement with himself: "When my heart is disturbed, my lips shall not utter a word." He thought, not without reason, that when we are under the influence of anger, impatience of any violent emotion, we are unfit to speak wisely or to impart good advice. We must first become calm, or withdraw ourselves from the influence of passion. Because passion is a cloud that prevents us from seeing the truth, whilst interior peace disposes us to reflect and pray, in order to act in accordance with reason and faith.
Another condition to be enlightened in difficult cases is to consult those who are animated with the Spirit of God. "My son," says the Holy Ghost, "do nothing without counsel, and thou shalt not repent when thou hast done" (Eccli. 32. 24). In fact, do we not thereby practice humility and docility? And what better means to draw down on us the light of grace! When we cannot have recourse to a prudent adviser, let us implore the help of heaven. Let us, for instance, make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament to seek light from Him that "enlighteneth every man coming into the world." In this way we shall imitate the conduct of the saints.
Do we not perhaps do the contrary by being presumptuous in our judgments, by being obstinate in our decisions, so far as to be unwilling to refer the matter to others? Are we not indiscreet, too quick in speaking and answering, and incapable of keeping a secret? How many undertakings have failed in consequence of our rash speech, so opposed to the Spirit of God! Numberless are the faults committed through lack of prudence and counsel.
O my God, Spirit of truth, preserve me from the false prudence of the world and the flesh, which considers merely transitory goods. Enable me above all to seek all the treasures of grace and the accomplishment of Thy holy will. Through the intercession of Our Lady of Good Counsel, deign to enlighten and instruct me concerning my obligations, and to direct, lead and govern me in the paths leading to Thee. I am resolved, first, to mistrust myself, to pray and to act calmly; and secondly, to consult in matters of importance, so that I may never have cause to regret the course I take. "Do nothing without counsel, and thou shalt not repent when thou hast done."
