What We Believe: Part 20 – The Holy Spirit

  Some years ago, there was a serious need for the book, ”The Forgotten Paraclete.” The Holy Spirit was almost never mentioned in sermons (today’s homilies)  Not so now.  Thanks be to God!Source: rochuskirche.at

  There could be a need today for a clear explanation  of the fundamentals as found in the new Catechism. It begins with the oft-quoted  statement from scripture “No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except  by the Holy Spirit.” (683)

  We are to understand  that to make such a statement means  that one believes and accepts without question the truth that is expressed. It is not meant to be a simple recitation of the words.

  Some might be carried away and feel that the Holy Spirit is guiding them specifically to do something. But we do not hear the Spirit . 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.” (687)

  It is good to review what we are to believe about the Holy Spirit. “To believe in the Holy Spirit is to profess that the Holy Spirit is one of the persons of the Holy Trinity, consubstantial with the Father and the Son: 'with the Son he is worshipped and glorified’.

 Source:thinkingonscripture.com “‘The Holy Spirit is at work with the Father and the Son from the beginning to the completion of the plan for our salvation. But in these ‘end times’ ushered in by the Son’s redeeming Incarnation, the Spirit is revealed  and given, recognized and welcomed as a person.” (685 & 686).

     I want to conclude this reflection on the Holy Spirit with a lighter pastoral note from St. Cyril of Alexandra. “Through the Holy Spirit we are restored to paradise, led back to the Kingdom of heaven and adopted as children, given confidence to call God Father and to share in Christ’s grace, called children of light and given a share in eternal glory.”(736).

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