Called to become one with the Spirit

Called to become one with the Spirit

                        Another chapter regarding God’s Spirit

When we were baptized as an infant it was our God-parents who spoke for us and answered the I will to the questions the celebrant asked.  Each one is a mandate that we promise to accept regarding the creed of Christ’s Church.  Not too many years after this introduction into the church, we reach an age where now it is our own answers we promise to the bishop as we prepare to be accepted totally into the church at confirmation.  What gifts that were handed to us by the Holy Spirit during baptism are now completed in this signing with oil and a promise.

The reception of this two-fold sacrament is the first encounter we will have with God being sent forth with the breastplate of righteousness and the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  This is the battle against evil.  (Eph 6: 14 - 17).  It may be too soon for some to realize we are in a battle where evil will now confront our newly acquired gifts that the Spirit has endowed us with.  But reception of the Spirit in Sacraments of the Church is not for a place on the shelf as in a trophy for accomplishments we win, it is a battle cry with the Spirit of God guiding us at every step we take.

Make no mistake that when Jesus ascended into heaven his authority remained via the Holy Spirit.  When the Spirit guides us, convicts us, and protects our soul keeping us from sin, it is Jesus who through his Spirit accomplished this.  However, we must always remember that the Holy Spirit is not an insubordinate to Jesus and the Father.  He is God, as is Jesus, and the Father.  All three are one God in three persons.

Remain with the Holy Spirit and become one with God through the Trinity.  Each person of God is alive within us and becomes one with us as we become one with him. 

Ralph B. Hathaway