The Holy Spirit: The Love of God

The Coming of the SpiritHoly Spirit – The spirit of love who energizes us

to live as courageous followers of Jesus Christ.During the Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came down

upon the apostles. The effects were incredible as the disciples were no longer fearful, questioning, or uncertain about Jesus or his meaning.

The Spirit’s power remained with the apostles as they continued to preach, baptize, and heal in Jesus’ name. By the end of the apostolic era, they had preached to every corner of the Roman Empire until eventually Peter and Paul made their way to Rome.

The Holy Spirit at Work in the Church and in the WorldWe celebrate Pentecost the birthday of the Church.

On that day we celebrate and remember that Jesus’ promise was fulfilled. The Spirit came and dwells among us as out Paraclete and Advocate, our helper and Giver of Life. With the Spirit’s coming, the Paschal mystery finds its completion and the mystery of the Holy Trinity is fully revealed. The Holy Spirit creates and sustains the Church.

The Holy Spirit is indispensable for Christian life. He enables us to profess that Jesus is the Lord and to call God “Father.” Through baptism, the Holy Spirit comes to us, we receive the gift of faith, we are reborn of water and the Spirit as adopted children of God.

The Holy Spirit is at work in the Church today in many ways.The Holy Spirit is present in:The ScripturesSacred TraditionThe Church’s MagisteriumThe sacramentsThe various gifts and ministries that build up

the ChurchThe signs associated with the apostolic and

missionary life of the ChurchThe witness of the saints throughout the ages.

Images and Names for the Holy Spirit

Sacred Scripture uses many images and titles for the Spirit of God. These help us understand the mystery of who the Spirit is and the Spirit’s work among us.

Holy Spirit is the name Jesus gave as the correct form of address for the third Person of the Holy Trinity.

“Holy” and “spirit” are attributes each Person of the Trinity have in common. However, the Bible and the Church’s theological and liturgical language indicate the unique third Person of the Blessed Trinity- the Holy Spirit- when they them together.

Images and Names for the Holy Spirit cont.Spirit – The term Spirit translates the Hebrew word ruah, which means “breath,” “air,” “wind,” and “soul.” At creation, God’s ruah hovers over the chaotics waters (Genesis 1:1-2:4). Along with God’s word, his Spirits brings forth light, order and life.

Paraclete – When Jesus was nearing the end of his earthly ministry, he promised to send a Paraclete, that is, and advocate, a Consoler, a Helper. This Helper is the Spirit of truth who will “guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming” (John 16:13)

Fire – Yahweh revealed himself to Moses in a burning bush. As pillats of fire, he led the Israelites through the desert. Fire purifies and transforms. It is life-giving, making one holy. It also destroys, as when God rained down fire on the wicked in Sodom.

Light- Jesus is the light of the world. He taught that we were to be light. He gave us the Spirit – the power and energy to enlighten the world – to help us burn with the love of God.

Tongues of Fire – The tongue is the organ of speech, the vehicle of truth. Jesus was filled with the truth of God the Father. His words proclaimed the forgiveness of sin, brought about healing, commanded nature to obey, and revealed power over death by raising the dead. The Holy Spirit enables us to preach Jesus in truth and helps us form community in his name.

Water – Water represents both death and life. At the time of Noah, water was the source of the destruction of humanity caught in sin. On the other hand, water represented life to the Israelites wandering in the desert. Jesus taught that rebirth in the waters of baptism and the Holy Spirit is a requirement of salvation.

Hand – Several sacraments (for example, Confirmation and Holy Orders) deepen the giving of the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands. This recalls the power if the Spirit unleashed when Jesus healed through touch, a power he also gave to his apostles.