August 10

You are altogether beautiful, my darling; in you there is no flaw. — Song 4:7 BSB

The Holy Spirit, who lives within the consecrated heart, cares deeply about our spiritual well-being and watches over us with a sensitive, jealous love. The true meaning of the verse in James says, "The Spirit that dwells in us loves us with a jealous love."

The Holy Spirit is concerned with keeping us free from every blemish and wrinkle, bringing us into the highest possible state of God’s will. The Lord wants His Church to be without spot or wrinkle—the spot being a mark of sin and the wrinkle representing weakness, age, or decay. He desires His Bride to be untouched by sin and decay. The Holy Spirit, acting as Christ’s agent, ensures that His will is done in us.

Lord, remove every blemish and sign of decay in me and make me a spotless Bride for You.