Episode 47 -- Life of St Philip IV.47 -- Spit if you can

Is it ever right to spit at a vision of the Blessed Virgin? Mary?

St Philip thought so. We will read about a young penitent who thought he was having a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He came to tell St Philip about how Our Lady was visiting him. St Philip had a profound grace, a discernment of spirits, for knowing true from false visions. He gave the man some very interesting advice. Our Lady was so happy with the man's obedience that she actually later appeared to him. When she appeared, she said something very humorous!

Last episode we read about St Philip's concern that people not run after visions. St Philip had many visions. But he insisted that the fundamental question is how we receive them. What is our frame of mind towards the vision? Do we think that they are a sign of holiness? Do we think that visions themselves make us holy? St Philip's main concern was for us to seek to "correct our behaviour, extirpate vice, embrace virtue, control our desires and the like." Visions can help us. Visions can help us help others. But there is great danger of delusion.

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