Lesson 11
Lesson 11
Embedded Files
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit has already been mentioned many times in the preceding lessons. It is appropriate to dedicate a lesson to provide more insight into the Holy Spirit. The lesson begins with the important question; Who is the Holy Spirit? This cannot be answered without referring to the relationship the Holy Spirit has with God the Father and God the Son Jesus Christ. A brief discussion about the Holy Trinity is used to help answer this question. This part takes on a slight theological tone, but it is light enough to grasp the essentials.
This lesson explores how the Holy Spirit (or Spirit of God) is manifested in the Old Testament scriptures and is referred to by writers of the New Testament scriptures. In addition, are some points of how the Holy Spirit relates to the believer, and through the Holy Spirit how God is made manifest in and through the Body of Christ.
Who Is the Holy Spirit?
Who Is the Holy Spirit?
This is the proper question regarding the Holy Spirit because the Holy Spirit is a ‘Who’ and not a ‘What!’ The Holy Spirit, as fully God is therefore Divine, equally eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, has a will, can speak, and is living. God working through His Holy Spirit is evident throughout the Bible. The ministry of God’s Holy Spirit is to bear witness to the person of Jesus, the Word of God and acts as an advocate for believers.[1] Together with the Father and the Son Jesus Christ in their ministry, The Holy Spirit as one and the same God is worshipped and glorified as God[2] and referred to as ‘the third person of the Holy Trinity.’ The Holy Trinity is God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is often seen as God working to animate in a special way His grace. This includes bringing forth new life. An example of this is Baptism. Where a new life has begun, that is supernatural and is intended to be united with God.
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[1][John 15:26] “When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me.” Advocate is another name used to mean the Holy Spirit. Whom I will send: in[Jn 14:16,26] the Holy Spirit also referred to as the Paraclete is to be sent by the Father, at the request of Jesus. Here the Spirit comes from both Jesus and the Father in their mission; there is no reference here to the eternal procession of the Spirit.
[2] CCC 263
The Holy Spirit is not a force or a feeling!
The Holy Spirit is not a force or a feeling!
In the vernacular, “spirit” is used as a positive expression or a feeling of exuberance. Phrases such as, “that’s the spirit” or “we have spirit” are intended as a way of encouragement. Such phrases relate to more about positive thinking, the ego, emotions, encouragement, or unanimity of thought for a group, team, or general humankind. This is not what is meant by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not a ‘feeling’ of holiness, nor positivity shared by a group. The Holy Spirit is not the result of like-type thinkers believing the same thing, nor a unanimous thought, nor a “Feeling” that God is present internally or externally!
It is a heresy to believe that the Holy Spirit is a force or some cosmic consciousness that must be “tapped into.” This ideology relegates the Holy Spirit to some impersonal cosmic loom or meandering energy. The idea of a “force” may be fine as a mythological theme suited for some science fiction movie genre. However, this does not apply to who the Holy Spirit is, nor does it even come close.
Cults like the Jehovah's Witnesses teach the Holy Spirit is nothing more than a force; such as a “holy cosmic impersonal force” that you can choose to yield to or not. This is false, because if the Holy Spirit were merely an impersonal force, then there could be no associated personal characteristics that act upon the souls of the faithful.
Jesus warned about committing a sin against the Holy Spirit. Why would he do this if the Holy Spirit is only a force?[1] Unless the Holy Spirit is equally God.
The Holy Spirit is not an all-binding ‘impersonal’ energy force holding the universe together nor a consciousness or a thing (a what)!! If the Holy Spirit were merely an impersonal force, then there would be no way for you to respond in a personal way. The idea of a person talking or relating to an impersonal object (albeit a rock, light bulb, lightning bolt, cloud, a force) would be considered, well; Crazy!
The Holy Spirit is a person (a who) and as God is very personal. The Holy Spirit touches you, providing power which is fortitude and grace to follow God’s will. The Holy Spirit guides you and fills you with zeal to love God more so that you may pray with a heart turned towards God, “Come Holy Spirit fill the hearts of your faithful….”
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[1] Matthew 12:31-32 and Mark 3:28-29.
The Holy Spirit is a person!
The Holy Spirit is a person!
The Holy Spirit is a person as indicated in the scriptures. The following passage reveals He speaks:
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (Acts 13:2)
In this scripture passage the Holy Spirit acts on the apostles as a person, speaking to them by providing instructions. The Holy Spirit is not a ‘what’ or “force” like electricity.
The Holy Spirit provides direction for action: So, they, sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and from there sailed to Cyprus. (Acts 13:4)
In the above scripture passage, the Holy Spirit acts upon the apostle using reason which requires the apostles to respond. A force or inanimate object does not operate with choice or reason nor requires a response. A light bulb, any force (cosmic or otherwise) is either on or off. A force cannot provide direction.
The Holy Spirit is a person because in the Scriptures the Holy Spirit is said to be grieved or offended: No foul language should come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for needed edification, that it may impart grace to those who hear. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Eph 4:29-30)
A personage (a who) can be offended; where-as a ‘force’ (a what) cannot be offended.
The Holy Spirit is spoken of as having a will:
But one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing them individually to each person as he wishes. (1 Cor 12:11)
This scripture passage illustrates the Holy Spirit acting willfully. A person (a who) acts willfully on their own. A force can only be activated according to predetermined rubrics, in other words, it needs something or someone else to make it work or go. The above passages mention the characteristics of a person, not a thing. The person these scriptural passages refer to is God the Holy Spirit.
The Trinity
The dogma[1] of the Trinity states there are three divine persons; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Whereas God is referred to as the “First person,” Jesus the Son is referred to as the “Second person” and the Holy Spirit is said to be the “Third person” of the Holy Trinity. Using the terms “First, Second, and Third," does not connote a hierarchy within the Trinity. The term “third person” references the Holy Spirit for purposes of distinct terminology, it notes the distinction between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for use in discussion of the Trinity. The term “third person” does not indicate being lesser than the second person or first person.
In the dogma of the Holy Trinity, the Catholic church does not confess to believing in three separate gods. Catholics worship one God.[2] Catholic theology does not declare that the divine persons share in one divinity (in other words each one gets a 3rd or 1/3) but that each (Father, Son & Holy Spirit) are equally and wholly God.[3]
The dogma of the Trinity is a mystery because all there is about the Trinity cannot be completely fathomed. Since all there is about God is far more than man’s limited capability to comprehend, it remains there will always be aspects of God that are a mystery. One way to grasp the mystery of the Trinity is revealed in the scriptures by their activity. The Father creates, The Son redeems and the Holy Spirit sanctifies.
The Catholic church, as the believing Mystical Body of Christ, teaches what God intends for His church to know. Such knowledge or revelation benefits the growth of the church. God reveals Himself as Father and Spirit. God’s word came into the world in the flesh calling himself God’s son. All three revelations are equally the same God.
The divine persons within the Trinity are distinct from one another and not mere modalities (modes of operation, being or perceptions).[4] Each of the divine persons in the Trinity are said to be relative to one another. As such the relationship does not divide the divine unity, the real distinction of the persons from one another resides solely in the relationships which relate them to one another:
“In the relational names of the persons the Father is related to the Son, the Son to the Father, and the Holy Spirit to both. While they are called three persons in view of their relations, we believe in one nature or substance.”
(Council of Toledo XI (675): DS 528) [5]
Since the belief in the Trinity delves deep into who God is, it reveals much in the way of meaning that can be understood by man about what God does. It is from the Mystery of the Trinity where all mysteries of the faith ascend from. Since the mystery of the Trinity “is the central mystery of Christian faith and life,” it becomes the source of all other mysteries of faith,” as well as “the light that enlightens them.”[6]
Jesus as the second person of the Trinity reveals the identity of God as the Trinity when he tells the Apostles in the Gospel of Matthew to “Baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”[4] Note He does not say “in the names,” referring to a single identity of God revealed to man as God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. All actions ordained by God and those chosen specifically as part of His plan, somehow are called to be drawn purposely and lovingly into this perfect unity called the trinity.
Consubstantial:
of the same substance or essence (used especially of the three persons of the Trinity in Christian theology). Just as Christ is Consubstantial with the Father so too is the Holy Spirit consubstantial with the Father and the Son.
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[1] Dogma: a principle or set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly true. A teaching with authority about truth. A truth.
[2] CCC 266
[3] CCC 253
[4] CCC 254
[5] CCC 255
[6] CCC 234
[7] Matthew 28:19-20
Prayer to the Trinity[1]
Prayer to the Trinity[1]
O my God, Trinity whom I adore, help me forget myself entirely so to establish myself in you, unmovable and peaceful as if my soul were already in eternity. May nothing be able to trouble my peace or make me leave you, O my unchanging God, but may each minute bring me more deeply into your mystery!
Grant my soul peace. Make it your haven, your beloved dwelling and the place of your rest. May I never abandon you there, but may I be there, whole and entire, completely vigilant in my faith, entirely adoring, and wholly given over to your creative action.
Prayer of Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity.
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[1] CCC 260
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord the giver of life,
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord the giver of life,
Who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
Who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the father and the Son, he is worshipped and glorified.
With the father and the Son, he is worshipped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets
He has spoken through the Prophets
I Believe in the Holy Spirit
I Believe in the Holy Spirit
The Spirit of God moves to animate and transform creation. While God truly knows you, initially you do not know God unless He is revealed where you can choose to accept to receive Him. This prodding is done by God’s Holy Spirit. You cannot merely know God by reading about him. It is with the help of the Holy Spirit that you begin to know God’s will. Without the Holy Spirit, you cannot have a relationship with God.
16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, 17the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows it. But you know it, because it remains with you, and will be in you. (John 14:16-17)
Jesus said it is through the Spirit that you begin to understand truth. It is by the Holy Spirit you begin to understand what it is God truly has for you and wants you to do.
Some claim to know or be experts in the scriptures but oftentimes miss its meaning. They cannot grasp God’s intended meaning of scripture, because the revealed word of God is incomplete to the individual without the assistance of God’s Holy Spirit. Those operating without the Holy Spirit, those immature in faith because they disregard the help of the Holy Spirit or those not belonging to the Body of Christ are blind to what God is saying. Such persons can fall into ruin because they maintain a skewed version of the scriptures.
20Know this first of all, that there is no prophecy of scripture that is a matter of personal interpretation,21for no prophecy ever came through human will; but rather human beings moved by the holy Spirit spoke under the influence of God. (2 Peter 1:20-21)
The Holy Spirit guides you. The Holy Spirit gives you a blessed assurance. The Holy Spirit provides you with gifts that you are to use to cooperate with God’s will and move toward a relationship with Him.
It is God’s Spirit that makes known to you the living word of Jesus and allows His word to be made manifest in you so that you can come to know God more and more. Without the Holy Spirit, you cannot come to know God[1] You comprehend His words by the power of the Holy Spirit.[2] The Spirit as a gift from God allows you to “understand the things freely given us by God.”[3]
Who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
Who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
The Holy Spirit is said to “proceed from the Father and the Son.”[4] As such he moves in unison with the will of God the Father by bearing witness to God the Son, and the Son in turn is united to the will of God the Father. From His will and through His spirit God gives life to the church.
With the father and the Son, he is worshipped and glorified.
With the father and the Son, he is worshipped and glorified.
The Holy Spirit is consubstantial with the Father and the Son. Consubstantial is a more technical word which means of the same essence or substance. As one God, the Holy Spirit is worshipped. From the Nicene Creed, it is declared “With the Father and the Son he is worshipped (adored) and glorified.”[5]
He has spoken through the Prophets
He has spoken through the Prophets
The prophets of the Old Testament as well as assorted authors of some books of the Bible, were inspired by God’s Holy Spirit. It was by the guidance of the Holy Spirit they were inspired to put into writing those things God wanted revealed for the benefit of mankind and His ongoing plan of salvation for man.
It is from the prophets of old, where the foretelling of the coming Messiah is given. Similarly, from the prophets as well as other books in the Bible, the inspired writers reveal certain theology about God.
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[1] CCC 687
[2] [1 Cor 2:11] Among human beings, who knows what pertains to a person except the spirit of the person that is within? Similarly, no one knows what pertains to God except the Spirit of God.
[3][1 Cor 2:12-13] We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the things freely given us by God.13And we speak about them not with words taught by human wisdom, but with words taught by the Spirit, describing spiritual realities in spiritual terms.
[4] CCC 264
[5] CCC 685
What Does the Holy Spirit do?
Part of what the Holy Spirit does for you was revealed above. One that stands out is the mere profession of faith. To say you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ is a gift of the Holy Spirit. “…no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.”[1] This passage in 1 Corinthians points out, that the Holy Spirit allows you to acknowledge, then begin and come to a full relationship with Jesus Christ.
All grace comes freely from God. Grace is manifested through the sacraments such as in Baptism where you are given a new birth in God the Father through the Son and in the Holy Spirit. Through God’s Holy Spirit you receive the first awakening of faith in you and communicated to you through grace is “new life.”[2]
This new life originates in God the Father, it is offered to us in the Son and comes through the Holy Spirit. The new life is the beginning of the life intended by God for man. Although while on earth you experience it through faith which is a foreshadow of the eternal beatific vision and union with God in Heaven.
Mission of the Body of Christ
Mission of the Body of Christ
It is in the body of Christ, the Church, where the Holy Spirit is made manifest. With such, the Church must make manifest to the world the revelation of God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) paragraph 688 provides this:
The Church, a communion living in the faith of the apostles which she transmits, is the place where we know the Holy Spirit:
—in the Scriptures he inspired;
—in the Tradition, to which the Church Fathers are always timely witnesses;
—in the Church’s Magisterium, which he assists;
—in the sacramental liturgy, through its words and symbols, in which the Holy Spirit puts us into communion with Christ;
—in prayer, wherein he intercedes for us;
—in the charisms and ministries by which the Church is built up;
—in the signs of apostolic and missionary life;
—in the witness of saints through whom he manifests his holiness and continues the work of salvation. (CCC 688)
Therefore, the Church Shares in the mission Jesus Christ began. Bishop Sheen makes this point:
The laity fulfills his Christian vocation in the world. When he comes to church, he receives life and truth and grace. But he receives them for service. Service in the world! And in the world his Christian truth and grace and life of his, comes into an encounter with other men who may lack it; or certainly its riches. A Christian vocation is the exercise of the ordinary manifestation of life in such a way, that the glory of God is made manifest.
The evangelist Luke in the Acts of the Apostles reports what Jesus says;
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
Jesus Christ also says this:
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. (John 3:5)
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[1] 1 Cor 12:3
[2] CCC 683-684
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.
And kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.
And you will renew the face of the earth.
Lord, by the light of the Holy Spirit
you have taught the hearts of your faithful.
In the same Spirit help us to relish what is right
and always rejoice in your consolation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.
And kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.
And you will renew the face of the earth.
Lord, by the light of the Holy Spirit
you have taught the hearts of your faithful.
In the same Spirit help us to relish what is right
and always rejoice in your consolation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Amen.
Titles of the Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit is the proper name for purposes of worship and glorifying.[1] In referring to the Holy Spirit from scriptures and in Christian texts, there are other names used besides “Spirit.” The Holy Spirit is often referred to as the Paraclete. This title is derived from the Greek word παράκλητος - par-a-klay-tos.Paraclete means a counselor (one who helps), a comforter, or an advocate. These three words are used when referring to the Holy Spirit.
The Hebrew word for ‘Spirit’ is “Ruach” or “Ruah.” The term refers to God’s spirit and, essentially means, breath, air, and wind. This word translates into the Greek pneuma and in Latin it is ‘espiritu.’ In the New Testament, Acts of the Apostles and the epistles we see different references but all point to the Holy Spirit:
the Spirit of the promise,(Gal 3:14; Eph 1:13)
the Spirit of adoption,( Rom 8:15; Gal 4:6)
the Spirit of Christ,( Rom 8:9.)
the Spirit of the Lord,( 2 Cor 3:17)
the Spirit of God(1 Pet 4:14)
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[1] CCC 691
Symbols of the Holy Spirit
For purposes of teaching and liturgy, there are symbols used to represent the Holy Spirit. A familiar symbol is the dove. This signifies the dove in the story of Noah. Even more significant is when Christ comes up from the water as St. John the Baptist baptizes him, the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, comes down and rests on him.[1]
For the newly initiated and those learning these things for the first time; besides the dove there are other symbols that are present during the sacraments of initiation. The ones that stand out for the newly initiated are Water[2] and Anointing[3]. Below is a list of symbols used to refer to the Holy Spirit:
Water [4] Anointing[5] Fire [6] Cloud and Light [7]
The Seal [8] The Hand [9] The Finger [10] The Dove [11]
Regarding the above list; refer to the foot notes below for a thorough explanation found in the Catechism (CCC).
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[1][Mt 3:16-17]16 After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened [for him], and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove [and] coming upon him.17And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
[2] CCC 694
[3] CCC 695
[4] CCC 694
[5] CCC 695
[6] CCC 696
[7] CCC 697
[8] CCC 698
[9] CCC 699
[10] CCC 700
[11] CCC 701
In the past the Holy Spirit was referred to as “the Holy Ghost.” You will usually find this in older reference, dated documents, older prayer sources, Catholic recordings of speeches/talks and even in older movies.
Why was the term Holy Ghost replaced by Holy Spirit?[1]
Why was the term Holy Ghost replaced by Holy Spirit?[1]
Have all rites observed this change or just the Latin (Roman) rite?
The change from using the term Holy Ghost to Holy Spirit when referring to the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity has nothing to do with rites, doctrine, dogma, or malintent. The change occurred only in the English language. The change pertains to the uniqueness of the English language which has multiple synonyms for almost everything. In this case, there are two words, ghost and spirit. Ghost derives from the Saxon word ‘gast’ which originally came from the old Teutonic/German ‘geist’ or ‘gheist’. A modern derivative of this Germanic word is ‘poltergeist.’ These earlier languages had fewer words than our modern English to use for this term.
The word spirit derives from the Latin ‘espiritu.’ Both the old Teutonic and Latin words at their time were translations of the Greek word ‘pneuma.’ The Greek ‘Pneuma’ is used to translate from the Hebrew word ruah, (ruach) which is breath or to breathe and correlates to God. Ruah can mean inspired by God or the spirit of God. currently, the word ‘spirit’ in the English Language has become the more exact term, even though originally in Old English, ‘ghost’ and ‘spirit’ were closer to being synonyms. In modern English, the similarities in these terms diverge. It should be pointed out that Old English contained more words and uses than its earlier predecessors or root languages of Saxon, Teutonic (Germanic), Gallic, Welsh, and Latin.
In the languages from old Teutonic countries the Germanic word ‘geist’ or ‘gheist’ is the only possible translation for the Greek word ‘pneuma.’ Countries from earlier centuries sharing the same root language influenced the language of the old Saxons. Saxony uses the word ‘gast,’ a form of the Germanic word ‘gheist’. This was the only word they had that came close. This translated later to the word ‘ghost.’
Similar languages with similar roots have derivatives of the word ‘gast.’. As an example, the Dutch “Geest” and the Latvian “Gars” connote the word “spirit.” For these languages, it is not a contest of using one word versus another. It is only in the modern English language where there are multiple words to consider. The modern English word ‘ghost’ also means a “manifested specter” or a phantom.
In the past few decades, Catholic English language translators have preferred the word spirit over the use of the word ghost, when referring to the Holy Spirit. The word ‘spirit’ comes from Latin roots and is more in common with other romantic language derivatives, such as French, Italian, and Spanish. The use of ‘spirit over ‘ghost’ has to do with the change of meaning in the current English vernacular where the word “ghost” is now more associated with some type of “specter” or “phantom.”
The use and meaning of the word spirit is much more in line with the Hebrew word ruah, (or ruach), which essentially means, breath, air, or wind. From which the Greek word pneuma comes and translates to ‘espiritu’ in Latin.
The English word “Spirit” is consistent with translations in other languages including Latin, Spanish, Portuguese, and other romantic languages. For example, in French ‘Saint-Esprit,’ and in Italian ‘Spirito Santo’ properly translate into “Holy Spirit.”
It is interesting to note, the old Welsh language (which followed from older Gaelic coming from the English isle) uses the words ‘ysbryd sanctaidd’ (Es- bree-id Sancta–id); with the first part ‘ysbryd’ (Es- bree-id) is akin to the word ‘spirit’ and the second part ‘sanctaidd’ relates to the word ‘Sancta’ which means holy. This early Anglican root language does not use the old Saxon word ‘Gast!’
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[1] Part of this information was taken from text provided at the Catholic Answers web site; http://www.catholic.com/quickquestions/why-was-the-term-holy-ghost-replaced-by-holy-spirit
Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.
And kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.
And you will renew the face of the earth.
Lord, by the light of the Holy Spirit
you have taught the hearts of your faithful.
In the same Spirit help us to relish what is right
and always rejoice in your consolation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer to the Trinity[1]
Prayer to the Trinity[1]
O my God, Trinity whom I adore, help me forget myself entirely so to establish myself in you, unmovable and peaceful as if my soul were already in eternity. May nothing be able to trouble my peace or make me leave you, O my unchanging God, but may each minute bring me more deeply into your mystery! Grant my soul peace. Make it your heaven, your beloved dwelling and the place of your rest. May I never abandon you there, but may I be there, whole and entire, completely vigilant in my faith, entirely adoring, and wholly given over to your creative action.
Prayer of Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity.
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[1] CCC 260
A Jesus Moment: Jesus sends the Advocate.
A Jesus Moment: Jesus sends the Advocate.
26 “When the Advocate comes whom I will send* you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. [1]
27 And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.
John 15:26-27
Here is one passage where Jesus promises to send the “Advocate” who is the Holy Spirit. Notice the words He uses. Jesus indicates the “Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father.” God cannot be divided or separated into pieces. So, that which is “Proceeding” from God is equally God.
Jesus also mentions the truth the Holy Spirit brings. This proceeds from God the Father who as absolute in everything, delivers absolute truth. The truth God reveals and spoken by Jesus is given by the Holy Spirit to the Church to guide it in matters of Authentic truth and moral precepts.
The passage above is reiterating what Jesus Christ had said earlier in John 14:16
16 …I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you forever,
17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. John 14:16-17
Here Christ indicates he will send “another Counselor.” In the lesson you completed above it was mentioned that Counselor is a reference to the Holy Spirit. The word ‘Paraclete’ from the Greek could be the preferred use here since “counselor” and “advocate” both connote aspects of the Paraclete.
There is an interesting and important point in this passage. Jesus is saying he will send another Paraclete. Who was the first Paraclete or advocate(Counselor) where it is now he says another will come? Jesus was our first advocate! He remains so before the throne of the Father. The implication is, Jesus accomplished the same role while on earth with His disciples. The coming of the Holy Spirit as the Paraclete continues in the capacity of divine presence assisting the disciples in the church of today to execute the mission of Jesus in the world.[2]
Prior to this Jesus equates himself with God the Father. Now Jesus is equating himself with the “Spirit. Other passages as long with these, when taken as a whole, form one of the revelations which support the doctrine of the Trinity.
This is a lot to grasp but it is provided here to you as an OCIA catechumen as proof to what is being taught. Is there more to this? Yes, but it is out of the scope of OCIA. Hopefully this is enough for you to positively discern a little more about the truths taught by the Catholic Church.
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[1] John 15:26 – ‘ Whom I will send’ in Jn 14:16, the Paraclete is to be sent by the Father, at the request of Jesus. Here the Spirit comes from both Jesus and the Father in mission.
[2] Invitation to John; A Commentary on the Gospel of John – George W MacRae ; Image Book 1978 – John 14:1-31 Page 180
Self-reflection:
Self-reflection:
Consider these thoughts and ask yourself these personal questions:
· This lesson contains an array of explanations about the Holy Spirit. More can be said but for the purpose at hand what has been conveyed is suitable.
o Have you ever heard any of what was presented in this lesson?
o Since the Holy Spirit is equally God, one can turn to the Holy Spirit in Prayer. I must afford myself the opportunity to pray the Holy Spirit often.
Answer the Questions:
Answer the Questions:
1.) What are the symbols for the Holy Spirit?
2.) The Holy Spirit is the ______________ person in the Holy Trinity.
3.) What does the Holy Spirit do?
4.) The other name for the Holy Spirit, Paraclete, means a ______________
(one who helps), ______________or an ________________.
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