1 under the light of the Catholic FaithTHE HOLY SPIRIT under the light of the Catholic Faith © LUMEN FIDEI - pjc

2 Who is the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity and co-equal with God the Father and with God the Son. The Holy Spirit is God, not the spirit of Jesus that stays on earth after He is departed. The Holy Spirit is a different person of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is a person – a self-conscious, rational individual. The Holy Spirit is not an “it”; we should never refer to the Holy Spirit as “it” because he is not an impersonal force. The Holy Spirit is a “who” not a “which.” The Holy Spirit speaks of Himself in Acts 13:2, “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’” Here the Holy Spirit speaks and uses first person pronouns in reference to himself. “Me” and “I” which only a person can do.

3 Jesus talks about the Holy SpiritJohn 14: Jesus: “I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you forever”. John 14: Jesus says: “… But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” John 16:7-15 Jesus says: “Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. And when He comes, He will convince the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment … He will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for He will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that He will take what is mine and declare it to you”

4 In the Church we know the Holy Spirit [ccc 688]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 and continues the work of salvation.

5 Attributes of the Holy SpiritEternity Hebrews 9:14: “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works.” Here the attribute of being eternal is referred to with respect to the Holy Spirit. Omnipresence Psalm 139:7-8. The Spirit is all-present. “Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend to heaven, thou art there! If I make my bed in Sheol, thou art there!” Here he cannot escape the presence of the Spirit. No matter where he goes God, the Holy Spirit, is present there. Omniscience 1 Corinthians 2:10-1: “God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For what person knows a man’s thoughts except the spirit of the man which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God”. Paul says that the Spirit comprehends, encompasses, takes in, understands the thoughts of God himself. This would indicate that we are dealing here with someone who is omniscient.

6 Attributes of the Holy SpiritHoliness Romans 1:4. It speaks of how Christ is “designated Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead.” Here the Holy Spirit is referred to as the Spirit of holiness. Love Romans 5:5. Paul says, “Hope does not disappoint us because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.” So the Holy Spirit is not simply the source of power or guidance or strength; he is also the source of love. It is through the Holy Spirit that God’s love is poured into our hearts. These are the attributes of deity itself. Thereby underlining the deity of the Holy Spirit.

7 Symbols of the Holy Spirit [ccc 694-701]Water . The symbolism of water signifies the Holy Spirit's action in Baptism. Anointing. It is a synonym for the Holy Spirit. Christ (in Hebrew "messiah") means the one "anointed" by God's Spirit. Fire. Fire symbolizes the transforming energy of the Holy Spirit's actions. Cloud and light. These two images occur together in the manifestations of the Holy Spirit. The seal. The seal indicates the indelible effect of the anointing with the Holy Spirit in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders The hand. Jesus heals the sick and blesses little children by laying hands on them. The finger. God's law was written on tablets of stone "by the finger of God” The dove. Christian iconography traditionally uses a dove to suggest the Spirit.

8 source: www.reasonablefaith.comThe Holy Spirit works Creation (Genesis 1:2-3) Divine Revelation (1 Cor 2:9-10,12-13) Inspiration for Scriptures (2 Peter 1:20-21) Conception of Christ (Luke 1:30-31, 34-35) Regeneration (John 3:5-7) Responsible for baptism and indwelling (Rom 8:9) Source of assurance of salvation (Rom8:14-16) Enablement for spiritual living (Gal 5:16-18, 25) The Holy Spirit is the source of spiritual gifts for building up the body of Christ. (1 Cor 12:4-11)  10. The fruit of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit produces spiritual fruit in our lives. (Gal 5:22-24) source:

9 The Gifts of the Holy SpiritWisdom: It is the capacity to love spiritual things more than material ones; it also means the want to understand God. It is the perfection of the theological virtue of faith; Understanding: In understanding, we comprehend how we need to live as followers of Christ. A person with understanding is not confused by the conflicting messages in our culture about the right way to live. The gift of understanding perfects a person's speculative reason in the apprehension of truth. It is the gift whereby self-evident principles are known; Counsel (right judgement): With the gift of counsel/right judgment, we know the difference between right and wrong, and we choose to do what is right. A person with right judgment avoids sin and lives out the values taught by Jesus Christ. It is the perfection of the cardinal virtue of prudence;

10 The Gifts of the Holy SpiritFortitude (courage): With the gift of fortitude/courage, we overcome our fear and are willing to take risks as a follower of Jesus Christ. A person with courage is willing to stand up for what is right in the sight of God, even if it means accepting rejection, verbal abuse, or physical harm. The gift of courage allows people the firmness of mind that is required both in doing good and in enduring evil. It is the perfection of the cardinal virtue of the same name; Knowledge: With the gift of knowledge, we understand the meaning of God. The distinction between wisdom and knowledge is that wisdom gives the desire to know the things of God, whereas knowledge is the actual power by which such things are known. The gift of knowledge is more than an accumulation of facts, it also helps us to choose the right path through life;

11 The Gifts of the Holy SpiritPiety (reverence): With the gift of piety/reverence, we have a deep sense of respect for God and the Church. A person with reverence recognizes our total reliance on God and comes before God with humility, trust, and love. According to St. Thomas Aquinas, it is the perfection of the virtue of religion.[17] Piety is the gift whereby, at the Holy Spirit's instigation, we pay worship and duty to God as our Father, as Aquinas writes; Fear of the Lord (wonder and awe): With the gift of fear of the Lord/wonder and awe, we are aware of the glory and majesty of God. A person with wonder and awe knows that God is the perfection of all we desire: perfect knowledge, perfect goodness, perfect power, and perfect love. This gift is described by Aquinas as a fear of separating oneself from God. He describes the gift as a "filial fear," like a child's fear of offending his father, rather than a "servile fear," that is, a fear of punishment. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It is the perfection of the theological virtue of hope.

12 Personal reflection

13 Why are Christians not filled with the Holy SpiritA lack of total commitment. Christians not really sold out 100% to Christ. This lack of total commitment prevents the fullness of the Holy Spirit in their life and leaves them in the power the flesh. Jesus identifies three things that choke out the word and make them unfruitful in non fertile people: 1. The cares of the world (that is to say, just the pressures and the vicissitudes of life that drag them down). 2. The delight in riches (the desire for monetary gain; for affluence). 3. The desire for other things (their heart’s desire is not for God, not for the kingdom). Reliance upon self-effort. Some people may indeed be totally committed to Christ but they are attempting to live the Christian life on their own strength, in their own power, that is to say in the power of the flesh. And that is futile. The Christian life is impossible to lead in the power of the flesh. It cannot be done through self-effort.

14 Final Prayer

15 LUMEN FIDEI - PRAYER OF THE SEVEN QUESTIONS OF JESUS for personal meditation1.What are you looking for? (John 1:38) JESUS IS THE TRUTH, THE WAY AND THE LIFE And when the two disciples heard [John the Baptist] say this, they followed Jesus. Jesus turned around and saw them following. “What are you looking for?” He asked. They said to Him, “Teacher, where are You staying?” “Come and see,” He replied. So, they went and saw where He was staying, and spent that day with Him. 2.Who do you say that I am? (Matt 16:15) JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD “But what about you? Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 3.What do you want me to do for you? (Matt 20:32) JESUS IS THE HEALER The crowd chided them to be silent, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want Me to do for you?” He asked. “Lord,” they answered, “let our eyes be opened.” 4.How are you to avoid being sentenced to hell? (Matt 23:33) JESUS IS SALVATION You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape the sentence of hell? Because of this, I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. […] many will fall away and will betray and hate one another, and many false prophets will arise and mislead many. Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved. 5.Why do you persecute me? (Acts 9:4-6) JESUS IS SACRIFICE AND OBEDIENCE And he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do.” 6.Do you love me? (John 21:16) JESUS IS LOVE Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord, he answered “You know I love You.” Jesus told him, “Shepherd my sheep.” “Feed my sheep” 7.Why do you doubt? (Matt 14:31) JESUS IS FAITH and HOPE But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. “You of little faith, He said, “why did you doubt?” And when they had climbed back into the boat, the wind died down.

16 The End