Gospel

Ask and you will receive.

From the Gospel according to Luke. LK 11:5-13Jesus said to his disciples:
“Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,’ and he says in reply from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’ I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.
“And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”

The Gospel of the Lord.

To a greater extent.

We can receive the Holy Spirit to a greater or lesser degree. It depends on our spiritual journey, on our openness to receive Him within us. In some way, the Spirit gradually takes possession of our soul to the extent that we ask for it and make space for Him.
First, He illuminates our understanding through charity; then He begins to take possession of our will, which is converted to justice through fortitude. Our emotional layer becomes filled with hope through prudence, and our sensory layers align with the vision of faith through temperance.
In the end, we see through faith, feel through hope, and act through charity. In heaven, we reach the beatific vision of God, which illuminates and transforms everything fully in Him.

Applied to married life:

Luke: Do you feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in you more and more?
Laura: Absolutely. First, through the insights He gives us in our knowledge of the Lord; second, because I see a transformation in us; third, because I see how He works in others through us, and most of all, because we love the Lord more and more, and we love each other more and more.
Luke: Yes, we do notice it. I felt I wasn’t noticing His presence at all. Forgive me, Holy Spirit, for not being more attentive to Your action in us.

Mother,

Send us the Holy Spirit and help us prepare our souls to receive Him. Praised be He forever.