Prologue

We must speak about him without whom no one can speak what is right and who can make or makes everyone speak abundantly. Indeed, without him we cannot correctly speak. So it is not surprising that it is said in Wisdom 9:17: who could have known the sense, of God’s truth, unless he had sent his Spirit from on high? Without a sense of the truth no one could speak what is true. (In order to know the truth concerning natural things, grace is not necessary, but it is concerning things that exceed nature: ST I-II.109.1.)

Again, the Holy Spirit enables all to speak abundantly (cf. 1 Cor 12:3). Therefore, Gregory says: he makes wise those whom he has filled. (Gregory the Great, Homilies on the Gospels, bk. 2, homily 30, para. 5 (CCSL 141:261; PL 76:1223B); cf. Epistles, bk. 1, letter 24 (CCSL 140:26; PL 77:473A); Book of Pastoral Rule, bk. 2, ch. 4 (PL 77:31A).) Today this is evident, as the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in various tongues (Acts 2:4). Therefore, we will ask this one, who even makes the mute speak abundantly (cf. Isa 35:6; Matt 9:32–33), that he may give me to speak, et cetera.