COME HOLY SPIRIT, LORD AND GIVER OF LIFE
OPENING PRAYER (WELCOME GOD INTO OUR STUDY)
Come Holy Spirit, Lord and Giver of Life. Spirit of Wisdom inspire us to be courageous witnesses to the Truth. Come Holy Spirit dwell in us that we may dwell in Thee. We ask this
in the name of Jesus, Our Lord. Amen.
CATECHESIS (STUDY THE FAITH)
REFERENCES FROM CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC CHURCH 2ND EDITION
CCC 683 – 686 I believe in the Holy Spirit
CCC 687 – 688 where we find the Holy Spirit
CCC 689 – 690 Mission of the Holy Spirit
CCC 691 Proper names of the Holy Spirit
CCC 692 – 693 Titles of the Holy Spirit
CCC 694 -701 Symbols of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Most Blessed Trinity, equal to the Father and equal to the Son. The term Spirit comes from the Hebrew word, ruach, meaning breath or air.
In the First Creation Story in Genesis 1:2 “the Spirit of God was moving over the face of deep waters,” bringing order out of chaos. In the Second Creation Story, Genesis 2:7, “The Lord God formed man from the dust of the land and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living being.”
The Holy Spirit is that special advocate that Jesus promised us before His Ascension into Heaven.. Jesus would not leave us orphans and indeed, He didn’t. The Holy Spirit daily inspires, encourages, and enlightens us in our way “home” to the Father. If you had a good thought, thank the Holy Spirit. If you did a good deed, thank the Holy Spirit. If you made a good decision, thank the Holy Spirit.
COMMENTARY
The Trinity is one. We do not profess three Gods, JUST ONE! We profess One True God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three persons in One God. The three persons are one in nature. The Father loves the Son. The Son loves the Father. The Spirit is the love between the Father and the Son. The Trinity is a model of communal love.
“Everyone who glorifies the Father does so through the Son, in the Holy Spirit. Everyone who follows Christ does so because the Father draws him and the Spirit moves him.” John 6:44
The Blessed Trinity is not complete without the Holy Spirit whom we adore and glorify with the Father and the Son. “Glory be to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be forever.”
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER
THE SON
AND
THE HOLY SPIRIT
When we speak of the Father as Creator, we do not mean to say the Son and the Spirit had nothing to do with creation. The same can be said about the Father and the Spirit in regard redemption. The same can be said about the Father and the Son in regards sanctification. No person of the Blessed Trinity is ever absent in a divine action.
Some symbols of the Holy Spirit are a dove, water, fire, wind, and cloud. Water signifies the Holy Spirit’s action in Baptism, a sign of new birth and divine adoption. The Holy Spirit came down in tongues of Fire upon the Apostles at the First Pentecost. As a cloud, the Holy Spirit led the Israelites out of Egypt and overshadowed Mary at the Annunciation.
.
In the Old Testament, God dried up the waters by sending a dry wind, once the waters were parted the Israelites escaped the Egyptians on dry land. Exodus 13:15
In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary and the Word became flesh. “The Holy Spirit shall come upon you and therefore the Holy Being, Who shall be born of you, shall be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:35
Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he promised his disciples that he would pray to his Father that the Holy Spirit be given to them. Jesus promised, “The Spirit will teach you all things and bring to your mind whatever I have said to you.” John 14:26
Through the Holy Spirit, our faith is awakened. We are inspired to know Jesus and the One who sent Him. The Holy Spirit stirs up in us repentance for sin and conversion. Until the end of time, the Spirit guides, protects, and inspires the Church and its members
CLOSING PRAYER (PRAY THE FAITH)
God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier and Giver of Life, we adore you the same way we adore God the Father and God the Son. We adore you in union with all the angels and saints gathered around your heavenly Throne. Praise and glory be yours, now and forever.
In Jesus’ name, we pray.
LIFE APPLICATION (LIVE THE FAITH)
1. The Holy Spirit is both convicter and advocate. Do I pay attention to the Spirit when he calls to mind (convicts) us of our sins and when he urges us to avoid sin in the first place?
2. The Holy Spirit is an advocate Jesus and Father sent to intercede for us. How do I use the Holy Spirit as advocate??
3. Fruits of the Holy Spirit are works that we can perform only with the aid of the Holy Spirit. Do I know the fruits of the Holy Spirit? Galations 5:22-23 Do I pray for the fruits of the Holy Spirit?
.