The Holy Spirit

Acts 2

Who is the Holy Spirit?• The Holy Spirit did not just appear at Pentecost!

As God, He always existed!• The Holy Spirit is truly a person– not just a

magical force.(Not a “what,” but a WHO, not an “it,” but a HE)

• He is the life-giving breath of God- in Hebrew ruah

• He is God’s greatest gift to us: the gift of Himself dwelling within us!

"No one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except by the Holy Spirit.”

This knowledge of faith is possible only in the Holy Spirit: to be in touch with Christ, we must first have been touched by the Holy Spirit. He comes to meet us and kindles faith in us.

Why do we need the Holy Spirit?

What does the Holy Spirit do?

• Safeguards the church from error in matters of faith and morals

• Strengthens and matures the gifts we received at Baptism

• Acts as our Advocate and our Defender guiding and protecting us

• Gives us the light to discover the Truth• Helps us in prayer• Helps us speak God’s word with boldness

What else does the Holy Spirit do?

• Comforts and consoles us• Empowers us to overcome sin• Energizes people (Mary at the Annunciation,

Jesus at his Baptism, the disciples at Pentecost, You doing what you know is right)

• Builds up the Body of Christ, the Church, and makes it holy

• THE SPIRIT IS THE POWER OF GOD (GOD HIMSELF) AT WORK IN US!

Titles of the Holy Spirit

When he proclaims and promises the coming of the Holy Spirit, Jesus calls him the "Paraclete," literally, "he who is called to one's side," ad_vocatus. "Paraclete" is commonly translated as "consoler," and Jesus is the first consoler.

The Lord also called the Holy Spirit "the Spirit of truth.“ Besides the proper name of "Holy Spirit," which is most frequently used in the Acts of the Apostles and in the Epistles, we also find in St. Paul the titles: the Spirit of the promise, the Spirit of adoption, the Spirit of Christ, the Spirit of the Lord, and the Spirit of God - and, in St. Peter, the Spirit of glory.

Paraclete Consoler

Fire symbolizes the transforming energy of the Holy

Spirit's actions

The prayer of the prophet Elijah, who "arose like fire" and whose

"word burned like a torch," brought down fire from heaven on the sacrifice on Mount Carmel.

Symbols of the Holy Spirit

Fire

Moses and the Burning Bush

Dove

Christian iconography traditionally uses a dove to

suggest the Spirit

Noah

Christ’s Baptism

Anointing

The symbolism of anointing with oil also signifies the

Holy Spirit, to the point of becoming a synonym for the Holy Spirit.

In Christian initiation, anointing is the sacramental sign of Confirmation

Water

The symbolism of water signifies the Holy

Spirit's actionin Baptism, since after the invocation of the

Holy Spirit it becomes the

efficacious sacramental sign of

new birth.

Cloud and Light

The Holy Spirit guided the Israelites to freedom

The Finger

God wrote the Ten Commandments Himself!

They were inscribed with the finger of God…a nice personal

touch!

What the Holy Spirit gives us…

1. “Gifts”

2. “Fruits”

3. Charisms

The GIFTS of the Holy Spirit

• WISDOM- helps us to see clearly; helps us to see ourselves & others as God sees us

• KNOWLEDGE- ability to see how God is in our life and world

• PIETY- reverence for the Lord and respect for others

• FORTITUTDE- (courage) helps us give witness to our faith and stand up for what we know is right; helps us act on our beliefs and persevere in faith. the strength to do the right thing

• UNDERSTANDING-helps us grasp the truth and see the world from God’s perspective; leads us to reconciliation and peace in times of conflict

• COUNSEL (right judgment)- helps us act in morally good ways; often involves asking others for help and offering good advice to others

• WONDER & AWE (fear of the Lord)- helps us remain open to the loving presence of God; helps us appreciate the mystery of the Trinity

FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT

• The fruits of the Spirit result from the Holy Spirit living in us over time.

• They are:– Patience– Kindness– Gentleness– Joy– Peace– Love– Faithfulness– Generosity– Self-control

What are charisms?

• Charisms are special gifts that build up the Church, the Body of Christ.

• They are given for the benefit of the Church community not for the individual.

• Paul lists them in his first letter to the Corinthians. They are…

Charisms

• Wisdom• Knowledge• Faith• Healing• Miracle-Working• Prophecy• Discernment• Speaking in tongues• Interpreting tongues

The Holy Spirit in Your Life

• In what ways is the Holy Spirit present in you and with you?

• What is the Spirit calling you to do?• What aspects of nature help you glimpse the

Spirit?• How have you experienced the presence of the

Spirit during hard times and suffering?• How do you experience the work of the Spirit in

your faith community (or your school community)?

Prayer Reflection

Holy Spirit of GodGrant us the wisdom to see what is

truth.Help us grow in understanding you, our

Creator.Help us grow in knowledge of all your

creation.Give us good counsel to know what is

right.Grant us piety to adore you.

Grant us fear of the Lord to respect ourselves.

The Holy Spirit