Fr. Sullivan, M.J., is a priest with the Miles Jesu order. Miles Jesu is an Institute of Consecrated Life dedicated to promoting reverence to the Blessed Sacrament, devotion to Our Lady and faithfulness to the official teachings of the Church. For information on Miles Jesu and its Seminary Program, please call 1-800-654-7945 or visit their website at www.MilesJesu.com.
But it is important to realize that not every spiritual consolation comes from God. Generally speaking, in those who are making spiritual progress, the action of God or a good spirit is gentle, light, and sweet — as a drop of water entering a sponge. The good spirit acts in such a way as to console and encourage the good in their quest for God.
Generally speaking, in those lacking a spiritual life and going from bad to worse, the approach of God or various spirits in influencing us is different. In those who have turned away from God and decided upon a path of sin, the action of the good spirit is disturbing. This is because in such individuals God wants to prick the conscience and lead the individual back to himself. On the other hand, in these same individuals, the devil works to give a false consolation and a sense of peace and comfort about one's way of life. The evil works in this way in order to establish the individual more firmly in vice.
Thus, when a person receives spiritual consolations they may either derive from a good angel or a devil, from God or His enemy. St. Ignatius explains this as follows: “The good angel and the evil one may console the soul but for different purposes. The good angel works for the advancement of the soul, that it may grow and rise to what is more perfect. The evil one consoles for the opposite purpose, that he may draw the soul to his own evil designs and wickedness.”
This is important to understand in order to effectively discern which spirits are acting on the soul. It may generally be said that spiritual consolatons that move us to virtue are from God, and those that establish us deeper in vice are from the devil.
But a special note may be helpful to add here. God may allow us to go through desolations and trials for the purpose of a good he has in mind. And the Devil may be allowed to play tricks on those who are trying to serve God. One trick may be to inspire good people to do things which are good in themselves, but harmful to the particular person doing them. To recognize this trick of the devil requires self knowledge and experience in the spiritual life.
Thank you for all your prayer intentions. Please keep sending them to me. Its a real joy to recieve them and ask the Lord for all your needs.
