catholic reflections on the holy spirit

2. This is seen in Baptism, Confirmation, Ordination and the Anointing of the Sick. This shows the Holy Spirit at work in Jesus’ ministry. This is a marking of God and a sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit. What sustains life? Church: At Pentecost the Church is born. : Perhaps this is the most common symbol of the Holy Spirit. The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that the knowledge of faith that allows us to call Jesus Lord and to call God our Father is possible only in the Holy Spirit. Thus, studying the person and nature of the Holy Spirit, though sometimes neglected, is crucial for us as Catholic apologists and as Catholics in general. Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. But. Mary Pribbenow, a lifelong member of Holy Spirit Parish, recently began sharing short daily All of these point to the promise of God’s future gift of salvation. The Liturgy is a work of the Holy Spirit where the entire Trinity is made present. Our Blessed Mother: The Holy Spirit prepared Mary with a special preservative grace (as explained in Chapter 3). As You fill me, give me the wisdom I need to speak of Your greatness and to be an instrument through which others are drawn into the glorious celebration of the birth of the Savior of the World. —in the Tradition, to which the Church Fathers are always timely witnesses; —in the Church’s Magisterium, which he assists; —in the sacramental liturgy, through its words and symbols, in which the Holy Spirit puts us into communion with Christ; —in prayer, wherein he intercedes for us; —in the charisms and ministries by which the Church is built up; —in the signs of apostolic and missionary life; —in the witness of saints through whom he manifests his holiness and continues the work of salvation. At His baptism, the Spirit descends in fullness upon Him. The human author of each book of the Scriptures, as explained in Chapter 1, is a true author of the Holy Scriptures. Media; If you think hard about it, you’ll discover that “life” is hard to define. That’s right, we need God’s help to pray to God. Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, National Liturgical Calendars of the World. It is by John’s hand that Jesus was baptized after which the Holy Spirit descended in manifest form. Restrictions continue. Jesus promised His Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to His disciples. Additionally, we do not know where the wind goes once it passes. Why? The Holy Spirit is one member of the Holy Trinity. —In the sacramental liturgy, through its words and symbols, in which the Holy Spirit puts us into communion with Christ; The Sacramental Liturgy is the most powerful way that God is present to us right here, right now. We know the Holy Spirit…. A theophany is a manifestation of God, by the working of the Holy Spirit, pointing to the promise of God that will ultimately be fulfilled by the Holy Spirit. A divine Person. God's blessings! Allow yourself to be led and moved by the Breath of God and anticipate great things in your life. Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, A Mysterious Pregnancy and Apparent Scandal, The Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, The Sorrowful Heart of Our Blessed Mother. This is done by an action of the Holy Spirit alive within the Church. The Father is especially seen and revealed in the creation of the world, the Son is especially seen and revealed in the redemption of the world after it fell from innocence, and the Holy Spirit is now clearly seen and revealed as the one active in our lives and in the Church sanctifying (making holy) all who follow Jesus and all who seek the will of the Father. on Amazon. —in the signs of apostolic and missionary life; He was the greatest of the prophets who spoke with the anointing of the Spirit of God. “Con” means “with,” and “substantial” means “substance.” Again, this is philosophical terminology that our Church has used to try to vaguely put into language the relationships between these three divine Persons. The Holy Spirit also has the unique role of animating the Church in our day and age. This includes working with those we have injured and those who have injured us as we are all the body of Christ. Or. Through that person, each particular book of the Scriptures was written. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use. The Catechism #688, spells those ways out like this. It was revealed to us through the prophets and patriarchs that there was one God and only one. Join Josh Perry, Director of the Office of Worship, for a virtual reflection on the person of the Holy Spirit as we prepare to celebrate Pentecost. Confused? Jesus was transfigured in light. So let’s take a closer look at the activity of the Holy Spirit. It was a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night that led the Israelites through the desert. It’s just that we only came to a fuller understanding of this Person of the Trinity after Jesus’ ascension. The proper question is not “what” but “Who.” “Who is the Holy Spirit” is the right question because the Holy Spirit is a Person. Or, As we look at the workings of the Holy Spirit, we see various ways that He has and continues to work in our lives and in the life of the Church. We do not see Him with our eyes, but He is there. When we perceive a new strength within us, or an increase in virtues, or an ability to forgive, etc., we are aware of the fact that the Holy Spirit is present, leading us, transforming us and guiding us. White is a symbol of purity, and its wings give it swiftness and agility to descend from the Heavens. In the Eucharist, we have a unity of Heaven and Earth. Resources. He also was God. REFLECTIONS ON THE SPIRIT OF PENTECOST Jennifer Wortman/Guest contributer 05/26/2020 W ARREN, PA — I sit on my front porch, enjoying a gorgeous sunny day and I reflect on the fact that we have been living through isolation and quarantine in our diocese since March 17 th.None of us could have ever imagined life without Mass, the sacraments or community for ten weeks. You can say that it’s a joint action of the Church and the Holy Spirit, and this mutual activity brings forth the very real presence of Christ our Lord. This shows the power of the Holy Spirit to act in us and to use us as instruments. These manifestations of God’s presence are theophanies. Come Holy Spirit, renew within me the grace of my Baptism and lead me each and every day in accord with Your divine will. Readings for Today, Saint Anselm of Canterbury, Bishop and Doctor of the Church—Optional Memorial, Jesus said to Nicodemus: “‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:7–8. Not in the same way that He once inspired the books of the Bible, but certainly in powerful ways nonetheless. This brings us to the next chapter on the Church itself! It is this action that also guarantees the working of the Holy Spirit to make present the Savior of the world in a real and sacramental way. Dove: Perhaps this is the most common symbol of the Holy Spirit. Personhood means there is potential for love and union. When we speak of “traditions” with a small “t”, we are only speaking of human customs and practices that are established throughout time. For example, John 20:22 says that Jesus “breathed on them and said to them, ‘receive the Holy Spirit.’” The breath of God or wind of God is seen many places in the Scriptures, as we will see in our next section. Jesus, I trust in You. Because Jesus did not give us a 500 volume book of the law addressing each and every question that would ever arise in the areas of faith and morality. Although the Holy Spirit was there from the creation of the world, hovering over the waters as we hear in Genesis and although he is repeatedly mentioned throughout the Psalms, at Pentecost the Spirit is … These O.T. In the Liturgy, we use words and symbols through which God shows up and is made manifest. And the answer is the Holy Spirit who animates and sustains all life. Good question. When lovers kiss, it is as if they are trying to breath their spirits into each other. Don’t Wait to Accomplish the Greatest Act! God comes to meet us, to descend to us, and we encounter Him. To be “consubstantial” means that God the Holy Spirit is of the same divine substance or the same divine nature as the Father and the Son. He was the greatest of the prophets who spoke with the anointing of the Spirit of God. The Breath of Life 'Spirit' is from a Latin word meaning air in motion, such as breath or the wind. The Holy Spirit is now revealed in a different manner. These manifestations of God’s presence are theophanies. This blog is intended to share the daily mass readings from the Catholic Church and to offer some reflection on the readings. The Sacramental Liturgy is the most powerful way that God is present to us right here, right now. For example, John 20:22 says that Jesus “breathed on them and said to them, ‘receive the Holy Spirit.’” The breath of God or wind of God is seen many places in the Scriptures, as we will see in our next section. Next: Chapter 7 – The Church: The Living Body of Christ! We can know and love the Holy Spirit just as we know and love the Father and the Son. At His baptism, the Spirit descends in fullness upon Him. We do, however, perceive the effects of the wind. Now that’s saying a lot. Subscribe to our Daily Gospel Reflections via Email! It’s confusing to many. God is also made present to us in all liturgical actions, but above all, it is the Holy Eucharist that we hold up as the summit of His presence! Therefore, the Holy Spirit lives within us (see 1 Cor 6:19). Both of these naturally suggest life. To do this effectively, and in accord with God’s plan, we need His grace and action in our lives. Be it plants, animals or humans, no scientific discovery can unmask the actual principle of life itself. Jesus: Jesus is the “Anointed One.” He is filled with the Holy Spirit and one with the Holy Spirit. As outlined earlier in this Chapter, the Holy Spirit is the one teaching through the bishops, sanctifying us through prayer and the sacraments, and spreading the Good News through the apostolic works of the Church. John the Baptist: John was “filled with the Holy Spirit” from his mother’s womb. He wants to inspire each and every one of us for a powerful work He has given only to us. Not that the Holy Spirit wasn’t already with Him fully. : The kingdoms of the Old Testament also pointed to the promise of the one eternal Kingdom which would be established by Christ and orchestrated by the Holy Spirit. Cloud and light: We see these images in the Old and New Testament. If we are to be in touch with Christ, we must first have been touched by the Holy Spirit ( CCC 683 ). And, don’t overlook the three additional reflections! Come, Holy Spirit, fill me, consume me and use me for Your glory. : The symbol of anointing with oil also signifies an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Promise, Theophanies, and the Law: God spoke to Moses, Joshua and the great prophets in various ways. —In the Tradition, to which the Church Fathers are always timely witnesses; —In the Church’s Magisterium, which he assists; Jesus established the Church and bestowed the Spirit upon the Apostles who were His first bishops with Peter being the first pope. What I mean is that we can “say prayers” if we like, and this is good. If our lives are under the power and care of the Holy Spirit, we do not know where we will be led. —in the witness of saints through whom he manifests his holiness and continues the work of salvation. Thus, their inability to keep the law was a sign they needed more. For example, when you see a tree swaying, you know that the wind is blowing. Not that the Holy Spirit wasn’t already with Him fully. To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy, Books from My Catholic Life! Everyone following the will of the Father and living out their Christian dignity as sons and daughters of God. Our Blessed Mother: The Queen of All Saints! Anointing: The symbol of anointing with oil also signifies an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Reflections on the Pandemic and the Mass. —In the charisms and ministries by which the Church is built up; : The best translation for the term “Spirit” is “Ruah” or breath, air or wind. The Great I AM. Kingdom: The kingdoms of the Old Testament also pointed to the promise of the one eternal Kingdom which would be established by Christ and orchestrated by the Holy Spirit. We respond to God calling and speaking, and this begins a process of prayer. Reflect, today, upon the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit in your life. It was “tongues as of fire” that descended upon the Apostles at Pentecost. Equal in dignity and majesty with the Father and the Son. This bestowing of the Holy Spirit is seen in John 20:22. Let’s take a look at each one of these so as to gain a better understanding of the workings of the Holy Spirit. The key to a charism is that it is for the good of the Church and the spreading of the Gospel. With the gift of knowledge, we come to know the true value of creation in relation to the Creator.This is important for all those times when we are surrounded by beauty, but we don’t think of anything except ourselves. The Holy Ghost Only one thing is important ~ eternal salvation. So the Holy Spirit has been very much alive and active in the history of our world and continues to be active in the life of the Church. The Holy Spirit brings us to Jesus; he guides the whole Church into the fullness of truth. The Holy Spirit, Gift of God's Love. But why they work is another question. 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