Living in the Presence of God - the Holy Spirit

Living in the Presence of God – The Holy Spirit

By Thomas Stidl

         By way of introduction, the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Blessed Trinity.  In our catechism we learned that there are three persons in one God.  They are the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  The Father and Jesus sent the Holy Spirit on the feast of Pentecost.  Before Jesus ascended to the Father in Heaven, He told his apostles to wait in Jerusalem until they were clothed with power from on High.  This was to happen after his ascension into glory.  Then Jesus gave the great commission to his apostles to preach the gospel or good news to all nations, blessed them, and ascended into heaven.  Did he really leave us?  No, but that dear reader is the subject of a future article. 

         So the apostles went back to Jerusalem, along with Mary, his mother and began nine days of intense prayer.  This was the first novena.  After nine days of prayer, the Holy Spirit descended upon them in the form of tongues of fire.  That act began the greatest religious conversion in all of history.  People from all nations heard the gospel preached in their own language.  The people asked what they should do.  The apostles told them that they should be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Three thousand were baptized that day and they received the Holy Spirit also.

         Now, how do you and I receive the Holy Spirit?  At our baptism, we receive an introduction to the Holy Spirit with initial sanctifying grace.  When we receive the sacrament of Confirmation, we receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit in our soul.  Now the Holy Spirit will reside within us as long as we do not live in the state of mortal or grievous sin.  I hope that I have explained that properly.  We must all live in the state of grace.

         Dear reader how many times do we turn in prayer or supplication to Him?  Remember, He does not like to be forgotten.  I would guess that students remember him when Mathematics, Science, or other tests are on the horizon.  Always remember, He is God within us, consubstantial with the Father and Jesus as declared by the Council of Florence.  He is our best friend.  He inspires us and consoles us in our time of trouble.  We must always pray to him for the sanctifying and actual graces needed for daily life.

         So the next time we need to make any decisions whether major or minor, go to Him and always tell Him your plans.  He will either bless your plans or give you a peace that only God can give or cut them off at the pass as they say in the old Western movies so that no harm comes to you.  Pray to him for discernment.  Stay in the state of grace and he will be with you always.

         Until next time, Laus Tibi, Christe.  Deo Gratias.  Praise be to God.  See you in Paradise.