Today's reflection from Pope Benedict's work, Co-Workers Of The Truth:
"The Holy Spirit is most frequently depicted under one of two main images: that of a strong wind and that of fire. But in the image of the strong wind there is concealed a second concept. The Spirit is likewise the expression of one of the four life-sustaining elements: the element of air. What this mysterious element of air means for biological life, that the Holy One, the Holy Spirit, is for every spirit. Where he breathes, human life can begin, humanity can exist, God can really dwell.
Today's newspapers are filled with references to the air pollution that our civilization inflicts on us. And in crowded places we can observe for ourselves, without having to read about it, that in and with the life-sustaining element of air we are also breathing in the poisons that destroy life. But no one speaks about the pollution of the spiritual environment that poisons the atmosphere in which alone spirit can survive -- about the poisoning of hears and spirit that is due to this pollution and is far more alarming than the illnesses that are caused by physical pollution. The fact that we are all accustomed now to recognize the value of man and that we can still fabricate for ourselves one or other fine ideological justification does not alter the fact that the spiritual air that we must breathe is being poisoned. If the value of man is not recognized interiorly, prohibitions are of no avail. That is all the more reason why, as Christians, we must consider it out duty to preserve the pure air of the Holy Spirit, to prevent pollution of the spiritual environment, and to create in the faith community oases in which the heart and soul can breathe and breathe freely."
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