Dear Parishioners,
Pentecost: The Holy Spirit Permeates Everything. The Holy Spirit can be understood as the love that flows from the Father and the Son. Although the mystery of the Trinity runs deep, the concept of “three in one” can be imperfectly seen in Creation. For example, when a husband and wife become “one flesh,” we have a name for it: a child. One family, three persons; one which flows from the love of the other two.
The Holy Spirit in Scripture. The Hebrew word transliterated ruach (pronounced roo-akh) appears in the Old Testament 373 times and is translated as spirit, wind, breath, etc. The Holy “spirit (ruach) of God was moving over the face of the waters” at the beginning of Creation (Gen 1:2) and was in His chosen leaders such as Moses, Joshua, David, Ezekiel, and others. In the New Testament, “spirit” (Greek pneuma) appears 379 times, with the Holy Spirit acting profoundly through Jesus and the apostles.
The Holy Spirit in the Mass. References to the Holy Spirit permeate the prayers of the priest and the faithful during Mass. “Holy Spirit” is printed 983 times in the Roman Missal—the thick book on the altar from which the priest prays.
The Holy Spirit in Church teaching. Referring to Pentecost 27 times and the Holy Spirit 593 times, the Catechism describes how the Church was made manifest to the world on the day of Pentecost by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and how “Christ now lives and acts in and with his Church… through the sacraments.” (#1076) What does this Holy Spirit mean to you and me? Since the Holy Spirit permeates our Catholic lives—literally since our Baptism—we may have questions such as:
- Should I be concerned if I don’t feel the “power of the Holy Spirit” in my life as we’ve been reading in the Acts of the Apostles during the Easter season?
- How do I know if my spirit is on the same wavelength as the Holy Spirit?
- How can I tap into the guidance of the Holy Spirit for important decisions in my life?
Going Deeper. Asking and addressing these types of questions is what we do in the “Going Deeper in Your Personal Relationship with Jesus Christ” Series on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month, 7–8:15pm (except July and August), see the bulletin for details. These sessions are not “talks,” but rather opportunities for you to bring YOUR questions as we navigate the Bible, the Mass, and Catholic Teaching to help answer them. I hope to see you there sometime!
Peace in Christ,
Father Jim
