December 18, 2022, 12:00 PM
The Third Person of the Trinity. In the Nicene Creed we say, “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.”
The Bible contains numerous references of the Holy Spirit including, “There are different gifts, but the same Spirit; …To each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good” (1 Cor 12:4-7); Creation (Gen 1:1); Spirit of the Lord (Is 61:1-4; Luke 4:16- 30); Mary’s Yes (Luke 1:35); Visitation (Luke 1:41); Jesus Driven into the Desert (Mark 1:12-13); Born of the Spirit (John 3:5-8); Baptism of Jesus (Matt 28:18-20); and Fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22).
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) lists the Gifts of the Holy Spirit as Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Piety, and Fear of the Lord. To celebrate God’s gifts to us write down some of your gifts in four areas: Gifts of birth and family; Gifts of historical time and place; Gifts of religious Faith; and personal talents.
The CCC also gives us some symbols of the Spirit: water, anointing, fire, cloud and light, hand, finger, and dove (CCC 694-701). Which of these images appeal to you and why? As Spirited believers, we are loving people bursting with joy. We make the world better with our Faith, prayer, work, and play. Finally: what jobs do I do that participate in the work of the Holy Spirit; what work has the Holy Spirit done in me; and how can I grow in my understanding of the Holy Spirit? If you take some time to reflect on these questions, you can truly say, “Now you know!”
