Rest in the Spirit

Rest in the Spirit

Rest in the Spirit is a charism of the Holy Spirit that is mysterious and that, in its exercise, brings certain ambiguities and calls for prudence.

This charism is mysterious and helpful.

Rest in the Spirit is mysterious in its exercise. The person finds himself in a state of semi-consciousness and feels as though in another world, without, however, cutting all ties with his surroundings. This charism is helpful for people who have blockages, significant wounds and difficulties of all kinds.

To take measures of prudence.

Where measures of prudence must be taken is in the seeking of this experience, especially if it is frequent. Even with the goal of always receiving new graces, such seeking would manifest a spiritual immaturity and a poor understanding of the mercy of God, which is not a magical response to our desires.

Excerpt from the document: Rest in the Spirit, Éditions InterRenouveau, 1985, p. 16

There is surely also a great distinction to be made between the systematization of the phenomenon, which fosters the spectacular aspect, and the discreet manifestation, which fosters a climate of tranquility in the assembly and in the parish community. Seen from without, the exercise of this charism often brings an ambiguity of a psychological and spiritual order. Among other things, the seeking of the phenomenon of rest in the Spirit can be done to the detriment of a genuine spiritual search. Through its practice over the long run, it brings about a displacement of values. Also, a disproportionate adulation of the persons who exercise this charism often brings a displacement of values to the detriment of the Person of the Lord himself. Education in the faith is called for!

Saint Paul invites us to test everything and to hold on to what is good.