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Chapter 9 — "Receive the Holy Spirit (Jn 20:22) "
OPENING PRAYER
Come, Holy Spirit,
fill the hearts of your faithful,
and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created.
And You shall renew the face of the earth.
O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of the faithful,
grant that by the same Holy Spirit
we may be truly wise
and ever rejoice in your consolations,
through Christ our Lord.
"RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT (Jn 20:22)"
—CCC, Nos. 683–747
Who or what do you rely on to lead you to the truth, to wisdom, and to understanding? Who gives you the courage to stand up to injustice?
The Holy Spirit dwells within each of us at the depth of our being. The Holy Spirit is the presence and liberating power that sustains, energizes, and transforms our lives. “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?” (1 Cor 6:19).
Some of the images used in Sacred Scripture to express the Holy Spirit are wind, breath, fire, light, cloud, seal, hand, the finger of God, and a dove. Jesus teaches us, “The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit” (Jn 3:8).
“God is Love” and God’s love “has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us” (1 Jn 4:8, 16; Rom 5:5).
Through the Holy Spirit we receive the gifts of Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel (Right Judgment), Fortitude (Courage), Knowledge, Piety (Reverence), and Fear of the Lord (Wonder and Awe in God’s Presence) (Is 11:1-2; see USCCA p. 108).
The Holy Spirit can inspire us through Sacred Scripture and open our hearts and minds to the truth and the way of Christ. The way of Christ leads to abundant life, helps us to assent to the teachings of the Church, and motivates us to holiness through the witness of the Saints. It opens us to experience God in the liturgies and sacraments, and especially in the Eucharist,. The Holy Spirit prays within us and intercedes for us, It leads, guides, and empowers us to minister to others.
If we are open to being transformed by the Holy Spirit, we will begin to manifest the “fruits” of the Spirit in our thoughts and in acts of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, and chastity (see USCCA, p. 108; Gal. 5:22-23).
The Holy Spirit transforms us within the quietness of our minds and the silence of our hearts. We are called to empty ourselves of our self-centered egos so that our heart, mind, and soul can become filled with the Holy Spirit. Come Holy Spirit!
Please read this week USCCA,Chapter 9, "Receive the Holy Spirit (Jn 20:22)", (pages 101–110), the CCC, Nos. 683–747 (pages 179–196), and the Compendium, Nos. 136–146
REFLECT ON YOUR EXPERIENCE
Who or what stirs the fire in your heart?
Who or what helps you to let go of your ego so that you can become filled with the Holy Spirit?
We encourage and invite you to spend time to reflect, pray, and write in your journal about what you have read, seen, heard, or experienced this week. You can find some questions you may wish to consider here.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, in now, and ever shall