Through baptism a Christian becomes the ‘living temple’ of the Holy Spirit, a truth which St Paul always refers to: “Know you not, that your members are the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you?” (1 Cor 6:19) It is worthy to note that the ceremonies used in baptism are the same as those for consecration of churches.
St Paul draws the practical conclusion from this great truth. After saying the above, he immediately adds, “Glorify and bear God in your body” (1 Cor 6:20). Make your body an instrument for the glory of God; keep it free from all stain, adorn it with virtue and good works, as an altar is dressed and tended.
Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp312-3
‘The Father and the Son revealed by the Spirit’
Before his Passover, Jesus announced the sending of ‘another Paraclete’ (Advocate), the Holy Spirit. At work since creation, having previously ‘spoken through the prophets’, the Spirit will now be with and in the disciples, to teach them and guide them ‘into all the truth’. The Holy Spirit is thus revealed as another divine person with Jesus and the Father.
The eternal origin of the Holy Spirit is revealed in his mission in time. The Spirit is sent to the apostles and to the Church both by the Father in the name of the Son, and by the Son in person, once he had returned to the Father. The sending of the person of the Spirit after Jesus’ glorification reveals in its fulness the mystery of the Holy Trinity.
The apostolic faith concerning the Spirit was confessed by the second ecumenical council at Constantinople (381): ‘We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father.’ By this confession, the Church recognizes the Father as ‘the source and origin of the whole divinity’.
The eternal origin of the Spirit is connected with the Son’s origin: ‘The Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity, is God, one and equal with the Father and the Son, of the same substance and also of the same nature ... Yet he is not called the Spirit of the Father alone, ... but the Spirit of both the Father and the Son.’
The Church Creed from the Council of Constantinople confesses: ‘With the Father and the Son, he is worshipped and glorified.’
The Latin tradition of the Creed confesses that the Spirit “proceeds from the Father ‘and the Son (filioque)’”. The Council of Florence in 1438 explains: The Holy Spirit is eternally from Father and Son; he has his nature and subsistence at once (‘simul’) from the Father and the Son. He proceeds eternally from both as from one principle and through one spiration ...
And, since the Father has through generation given to the only-begotten Son everything that belongs to the Father, except being Father, the Son has also eternally from the Father, from whom he is eternally born, that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Son.
Ref: “Catechism of the Catholic Church”, Nos. 243, 244, 245, 246
Who is the Holy Spirit?
God himself. The third Person of the Blessed Trinity; sent to each of us by the Father and the Son. Their greatest gift; he remains always with us, abides in us.
St Paul gives the clearest description of the work of the Holy Spirit whose fruits are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (cf Gal 5:22-3) These qualities are ideal in every walk of life and in all circumstances: at home, with your teachers and friends; in the factory or at the university; with all people you meet.
The Prophet Isaiah also attributed special gifts to the Holy Spirit: “... a spirit of wisdom and understanding, a spirit of counsel and of might, a spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord” (Is 11:2). St Paul is right in saying: “If we live by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit.” (cf Gal 5:25).
Gifts and qualities such as these make us equal to any task and capable of overcoming any difficulties. Yet our lives remain our own, and the Spirit acts on each of us differently; in harmony with our individual personality and characteristics we have inherited from our parents and from upbringing received in our homes.
Because he is so near to us, yet so unobtrusive, we should turn to the Holy Spirit instinctively in all our needs and ask him for his guidance and help. The Spirit comes to help us in our weakness. What more could be done for us? What more can we expect of God than that?
Ref: cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, pp214-5
Reading the Gospel with faith
We should read the Gospel with a longing to know Jesus Christ so as to love him. We can’t read Scripture as though it were just another book.
To read and meditate on the Gospel fruitfully we have to do so with faith, knowing that it contains the truths of salvation, and contains them without error. We also have to read it with piety and holiness of life. The Church, with the help of the Holy Spirit, has preserved intact and free from all error the priceless treasure of our Lord’s life and doctrine.
By meditating on it we can easily draw close to him and strive to become saints. We will discover the intimate truths contained in those books only insofar as we desire to be saints. Only thus will we taste the divine fruit which they contain. Do we truly appreciate this tremendous treasure which we have so readily at hand?
Are we trying to grow in knowledge and love for the sacred humanity of our Lord each day through our Gospel reading? Do we ask the Holy Spirit to help us each time we begin reading the Gospel?
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:454
Our Lady of Edessa, in Asia Minor. It is asserted that this image, placed beneath the gateway of a church, spoke to St Alexis, and made known to the people the merit of that saint. Thence it was removed to Rome, where it is highly honored. — Thomas Bloysius, lib. ix. c. 9. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
Our Lady of Edessa, Asia Minor (400). The statue that spoke to St Alexis. (http://www.divinewill.org/feastofourlady.htm); (MaryLinks Calendar.htm); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
Our Lady of Edessa. Turkey. 400. Statue that spoke to St Alexis. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
Installation: Robe of the Mother of God (Orthodox). (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
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