6.29.20 - Holy Trinity IV: The Holy Spirit...most neglected, but NOT forgotten!

Holy Trinity IV: The Holy Spirit

Most neglected, by not forgotten (example - Bishop Barron's book).

Trinitarian Mission: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” (Mt 28:19)

Names for Holy Spirit: Spirit, Spirt of God, Spirit of Jesus, Holy Spirit, Holy Ghost, Lord, Intercessor, Advocate, Paraclete, Comforter, Spirit of Truth

Symbols: Dove (ark/Jesus’ baptism); Wind-breath ruah (Gen 1;1, 2:7); Fire (pillar of fire/Pentecost); Water (flood/ baptism); Cloud-light (hiding God); Oil (symbol of HS uniting with us/seal of sacramental grace); Hand (the laying of hands – apostles to convey the HS in confirmation/ holy orders).

Nicene Creed

We believe in the Holy Spirit, (1) the Lord, (2) the giver of life, (3) who proceeds from the Father and the Son. (4) With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. (5) He has spoken through the Prophets.

(1) Lord. In biblical language, “Lord” means God.

The Holy Spirit is called “the Lord” – as Paul says, “the Lord is the Spirit” (2 Cor 3:17).

(2) Life – both physical and spiritual.

- Life to the world: “the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters.” (Gen 1:2)

- Life to man: “Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.” (Gen 2:7)

“- The Spirit brings life…” (2 Cor 3:6).

- “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.” (Jn 6:63)

(3) Jesus, himself, said that the Holy Spirit he will send them “proceeds from the Father.” (John 15:26)

(4) The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one and the same God, who is worshiped and glorified. Also, the “glory” given to the Holy Spirit corresponds to the language of God’s glory scattered throughout Scripture as well as Peter’s phrase, “the Spirit of glory.” (1 Pet 4:14)

(5) The phrase “spoken through the prophets” fits into the common pattern of prophets speaking by the Holy Spirit. For example, Jesus says that David spoke in the Spirit (Matt 22:43), agreeing with the testimony David himself: “The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; his word was on my tongue.” (2 Sam 23:2)

Seven Gifts of the HS

1. Wisdom = intelligence+humility+love

2. Understanding – gift of comprehension of the meaning of God’s will or message; sympathy and empathy for others.

3. Prudence – ability to see the best choices before us (right judgement; good counsel)

4. Knowledge – ability to think about God’s revelation to humans; ability to see and avoid obstacles

5. Courage – the courage defend your faith; the courage to do what is right in all circumstances

6. Holiness – help to pray meaningfully, develop your relationship with God, and joyfully serve others.

7. Fear of God means fear of offending God, just as we would fear offending anyone who loved us unconditionally. Moreover, it is the fear of eternal separation from God that is tied to our choices.

Fruits of the HS (Different versions of the bible list anywhere from 9 to 12 fruits of the Holy Spirit. The oldest Latin version (the Vulgate) list 12 so that is the Catholic position. You will also find different translations for the words used (Greek to Latin to English!) – and given in different order, so it’s sometimes hard to count them. In any event, below I listed nine key ones (in my opinion!) and mentioned some of the others after that.

1. Charity/Love – self-giving, good will, other-centered (agape); basis by which all other loves have value.

2. Joy/Happiness – differentiated from the external happiness of the world fleeting (fleeting and emotional) by an internal state of happiness, cheerfulness, and equanimity.

3. Peace – true external peace begins with internal peace, based on trust in God and goodwill towards everyone else. Serenity.

4. Patience – attitude of love and mercy; difficult unless ‘care for others’ becomes more important than self

5. Kindness – the willingness to be kind above and beyond what we owe others. Gentleness.

6. Goodness – seeks habits of doing the right thing regardless of the pressures of life. Generosity.

7. Faithfulness – habit of living one’s faith with God at the center.

8. Humility – believing that any of our successes, blessings, and talents are gifts from God. Also Piety. Modesty. Gratefulness.

9. Temperance – moderation and self-control in all things.

10-12. Continence, Chastity, Longanimity, Mildness (pick two)

Temple of the HS: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?” (Cor 6:19). This not only means to keep your “temple” clean and presentable, but what’s going on in the inside of this temple? God gave us a conscience not so we can debate with our ego, but so we can engage the HS in conversation.

Holy Trinity prayer…

Praise and thanks be to you,

Most Holy Spirit,

God’s breath of Unity, Love, and Grace.

Thank you for delivering the divine Logos to us through Mary.

Thank you for making available to us the power

to undivide, to build up, and to forgive.

Thank you for coming here to make your home

among us, and in us.

How incredible it is that you

are able to enter into our minds and hearts!

We thought we only had ourselves to converse with,

but now we have You. We can talk all day long!

You have become my Advisor for all my decisions,

my Sounding Board for all my ideas

my Teacher, my Advocate,

and my Protector.

Thank you, for you make all things possible.