Desires of the Holy Spirit
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Simplified
Failure of Israel's Law (2541-2542)
God warned man about seduction. Unfortunately, Eve saw the forbidden fruit as "good for food, and a delight to the eyes" (Gen 3:6).
Israel's Law never justified and even became an instrument of "lust" (Rom 7:7). Paul saw the conflict between God's law and the "law of sin which dwells in my members" (Rom 7:23).
Now - God's Righteousness (2543)
But now "the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law... through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe" (Rom 3:21-22). Crucified in the flesh, believers should "be led by the Spirit and follow the desires of the Spirit" (Gal 5:24).
Jesus' Teaching (2544-2545)
Jesus asked his disciples to "renounce all that they have for his sake" (Lk 14:33) and taught that detachment from riches was needed to enter the kingdom.
The faithful must rightly direct their desires so they are not hindered by use of worldly things or their adherence to riches (Second Vatican Council).
Poor and Rich (2546-2547)
The Beatitudes reveal an order of happiness and peace, and celebrate the joy of the poor. "The Word speaks of voluntary humility as ‘poverty of spirit'" (St. Gregory of Nyssa).
Jesus grieved over the rich because only abandonment to God frees us from anxiety about tomorrow. "The proud seek and love earthly kingdoms, for the poor their kingdom is heaven" (St. Augustine).
Seeking God (2548-2550)
Desiring the vision of God frees man from his inordinate attachment to this world's goods. "To see is to possess. Whoever sees God has obtained every conceivable good" (St. Gregory of Nyssa).
Holy people mortify their cravings and prevail over the seductions of pleasure to gain all of God's promises.
"In heaven there will be true glory and true honor. There true peace will reign. God himself will be virtue's reward. God will be all in all. We shall love God without surfeit. This state, like eternal life itself, will be common to all" (St. Augustine).
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