Pentecost Sunday
"I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT" - Catechism of the Catholic Church
687 "No one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God"(1 Cor 2:11). Now God's Spirit, who reveals God, makes known to us Christ, His Word, His living Utterance, but the Spirit does not speak of Himself. The Spirit who "has spoken through the prophets" makes us hear the Father's Word, but we do not hear the Spirit Himself. We know Him only in the movement by which He reveals the Word to us and disposes us to welcome Him in faith. The Spirit of Truth who "unveils" Christ to us "will not speak on his own" (Jn 16:13). Such properly divine self-effacement explains why "the world cannot receive (Him), because it neither sees Him nor knows Him," while those who believe in Christ know the Spirit because He dwells with them (Jn 14:17).
688 The Church, a communion living in the faith of the apostles which She transmits, is the place where we know the Holy Spirit:
- in the Scriptures He inspired;
- 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 & continues the work of salvation
Sort of like light passing through a stained glass window, we don’t directly ‘see’ the third Person of the Trinity. Yet, we can clearly see the impact & influence of the Holy Spirit. Today, we celebrate the gift of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was first poured out upon the Apostles to form the Church. The continuously present Church in which we worship is among the most evident, visible effects of the Holy Spirit, Itself. After receiving the Gift of the Holy Spirit, the Apostles went forth boldly to light the world on fire with Love & the Gospel. People could not see the Spirit, but they could see the Love shining through the Apostles & early Christians. People heard, received, & believed. Being baptized & Confirmed, others have continued to share the Gospel through the ages. The Spirit has enlivened Christian faithful and ensured the presence of God’s People upon the earth.
Do you feel Holy Spirit-filled? If not, the places we encounter & recognize the Holy Spirit listed in the Catechism (688) are great opportunities for you to open yourself more fully to the Spirit’s presence in your life. Reading the Scriptures, not just for Truth & moral wisdom, but to be more Spirit filled. Adhering to the unbroken Tradition and listening to the Magisterium of the bishops opens us to the Spirit. Worthy, open hearted celebration of the Sacraments and peace filled prayer are encounters with the Holy Spirit. Service & evangelization where your particular charisms & witness impact others with the grace of God express the Holy Spirit to the world. One cannot see the Holy Spirit Itself, but one can – and most certainly should – see the impact & influence of the Holy Spirit in the Church, in You.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and kindle in us the fire of Your love.
Nothing Less than saints for the Holy Family of God.
Holy Family, Giving Witness to the Power of the Holy Spirit in Them, Pray for us.
~ Fr Jeremy M. Gries
