Who Is the Holy Spirit?
Dear Parishioners,
The feast of Pentecost marks the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to send the Holy Spirit to his disciples. This awesome gift inspires new life to all who receive it and commissions the Church to continue the ministry of Jesus throughout the world until the end of time. Without Pentecost, Christ’s work would have been incomplete. “His death may have proved his love for us, but it would not itself improve our lot. We would be able to admire him at a distance. But there would be no effective following of him, nor right to call Christ ‘brother, or God, Abba.’ It is the Spirit of Pentecost that makes all of that possible.”
Who is the Holy Spirit? He is the third Person of the Most Holy Trinity, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, and is worshipped and glorified with the Father and the Son. Jesus also called him the Paraclete, Consoler, Advocate and the Spirit of Truth. The New Testament also refers to him as the Spirit of Christ, of the Lord, of God, the Spirit of Glory and the Spirit of Promise. The Spirit is invisible, but we know him through his actions when he reveals the Word to us and when he acts in the Church.
There are many symbols of the Holy Spirit: living water, which springs forth from the wounded Heart of Christ and which quenches the thirst of the baptized; anointing with oil, which is the sacramental sign of Confirmation; fire, which transforms what it touches; the cloud, dark or luminous, in which the divine glory is revealed; the imposition of hands, by which the Holy Spirit is given; the dove, which descended on Christ at his baptism and remained with him.
What does the Spirit do in the Church? The Spirit builds and sanctifies the Church. As the Spirit of Love, he restores to the baptized the divine likeness that was lost through sin and causes them to live in Christ the very life of the Holy Trinity. He sends them forth to bear witness to the Truth of Christ and he organizes them in their respective functions so that all might bear “the fruit of the Spirit” (Gal 5:22).
The Spirit is the source of holiness, a spiritual light, and he offers his own light to every mind to help it in its search for truth. He raises our hearts to heaven, guides the steps of the weak, and brings to perfection those who are making progress. He enlightens those who have been cleansed from every stain of sin and makes them spiritual by communion with himself. Through the Spirit, we become citizens of heaven, and we are admitted to the company of the angels. (cf. St. Basil)
Come Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of the faithful. Enkindle them in the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and renew the face of the earth.
Grace and Peace To You,
Rev. Vitalis Anyanike
Pastor
