Images of "Breath of Heaven" Filling Hearts with Grace

Images of the “Breath of Heaven” Filling Hearts With Grace

1. Soft rain falling over one, barely touching;
2. Bay waves churning over undercurrent eddies;
3. Penetrating oil, rubbing against rough, tender skin, applied by loving hands;
4. Sizzling zip of fire logs against loose beach sand;
5. Enigmatic beam of headlights against a forest of trees;
6. Cooing bird tweets at twilight as the sun is setting over the horizon;
7. Crisp fall leaves being turned up by children playing;
8. Sigh of an elderly person as sleep begins;
9. Distant thunder signaling a storm approaching;
10. Soft humming of a mother looking into the eyes of her infant.

Everyone has their image of the hidden Third Person of the Trinity. Images keep the supernatural mystery of the Holy Spirit visible to our human mind so we can learn, love, and live with the Advocate that Jesus left to the world.

Perhaps the most expressive image is one I heard recently.

It is the image of a sail, propelling a boat forward to a distant shore. The sail is only filled if there is wind- not too much, not too little. The sails are raised, open to receive the power of the wind- the more open, the smoother and faster, does the boat move. The wind is the Holy Spirit- one does not see the wind; only its effects are noted. The crew, (us), wait “with endurance” until the sail is fully open, able to receive the full power of the wind. The sail is attached to the mast which goes to the keel, the lowest part of the boat. Gravity, weight, of the keel keeps the boat from overturning- keeps it on course. The keel is Christ; the church is the boat, the rock upon which the mast and sail rests. The crew on the boat use compass, maps, to help guide them; these are the priests and church leaders who use the sacraments and gospels to guide the parishioners or passengers. Of course, there is a captain, the pope, who leads the boat to the shores of heaven.

Can you see it now? Your image of the invisible, yet present God, for anyone who believes and desire to receive him.