The Holy Spirit
Brother John Raymond
May 22, 1994
The Holy Spirit is often portrayed as a dove in Christian art. Of
course we know that this is only symbolic imagery. The Holy Spirit
is not a dove. With the other Two Persons of the Holy Trinity we
have clear images. But the Holy Spirit is a little harder to relate
to as a Person - we have no image of Him as one. A Benedictine
Priest-friend of mine in his homily commented on this very fact.
In spite of a lack of imagery the Holy Spirit is really a Person
and a very important part of our life. As breathing is to the life
of the body so is the Holy Spirit to the life of our souls. St. Paul
tells us that we cannot even say, "Jesus is Lord" without the Holy
Spirit. Also, he tells us that we are "Temples of the Holy Spirit."
Many people, like me, might have thought that the descent of the
Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday was it for the Apostles. They did
not need a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit after this. But this is
not so. Some time later after Pentecost Sunday Peter and John were
arrested by the Priests and Temple guards. After there release we
are told that Peter and John told their companions all that had
happened to them. Then they lifted up their voices with one accord
in prayer asking for the gift of speaking the Word of God with
boldness. Also they asked God to perform new cures, signs and
wonders in the name of Jesus. "And when they had prayed, the place
where they had assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with
the Holy Spirit, and spoke the Word of God with boldness." (Acts 4:
1-31)
We receive the Holy Spirit through the Sacraments of Baptism and
Confirmation. But throughout our Christian life the Holy Spirit
continues to work and grow in us. By prayer to Him we can invite Him
to work more powerfully through us. It has become common among some
to invoke the help of the Holy Spirit before prayer, talks, healing,
etc. This is correct and effective. As we saw above, St. Peter and
St. John didn't think they were exempt from invoking the aid of the
Holy Spirit after Pentecost. They felt the need to be recreated
again and again by His Power.
I know in both the Cursillo and Charismatic Movements people have
been powerfully transformed by the working of the Holy Spirit. Some
people have received special gifts of the Holy Spirit such as
praying in tongues, healing, etc. As gifts of the Holy Spirit they
are important for the building up of the Body of Christ - in other
words they are for the good of others. As such they do not mean that
a person is a saint that possesses them. We shouldn't be quick to be
critical of these people because they may have a gift that we do
not. Rather let us thank God for working wonders through the
instrumentality of His people for His glory. Anyway, if someone
offers to pray over us, why not let them? As the expression goes
"Try it, you'll like it."
But the work of the Holy Spirit is not limited to groups and
extraordinary gifts. Individuals can at any time invoke the Holy
Spirit. He is also known as the Sanctifier. The Holy Spirit has
seven gifts that are in us and that can continually increase. These
are the Gifts of Fear of the Lord, Fortitude, Piety, Counsel,
Knowledge, Understanding and Wisdom. These seven gifts in our souls
produce twelve fruits in us. They are Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience,
Longanimity, Goodness, Benignity, Mildness, Faith, Modesty,
Continency and Chastity. (For more information consult the greatest
book about the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit - "The
Sanctifier." Available for $6.00 + 1.50 Postage from The Monks of
Adoration, 2241 Englewood Road, Englewood, FL 34223)
Let us not forget this very important Person of the Holy Trinity.
May we talk to Him as a Person. Let us continually beg for His
assistance and increase in our souls. May we today, Pentecost
Sunday, invite the Holy Spirit to transform and fill us with His
Presence!