Chapter 5: The Holy Spirit

The Gift of God When God the Father and God the Son sent us the spirit, they gave us the gift of God himself. The spirit lives inside of us all us. The spirit is God’s grace (God’s gift of friendship and a sharing in his life and love) given unto us. Through our Baptism into the Catholic Church, we receive the gift of the spirit. When God the Father and God the Son sent us the spirit, they gave us the gift of God himself. The spirit lives inside of us all us. The spirit is God’s grace (God’s gift of friendship and a sharing in his life and love) given unto us. Through our Baptism into the Catholic Church, we receive the gift of the spirit.

The first major effect of the spirit within us is our justification before God, the forgiveness of sins. Forgiveness restores the divine image that sin has tarnished. The Holy Spirit transforms us from slaves to adopted children of God. Forgiveness of Sins

Life as Children of God Because God lives in us, we are his children. We can truly live as children of the light and participate in Christ’s eternal life because we have the gift of God loving in and through us. Because God lives in us, we are his children. We can truly live as children of the light and participate in Christ’s eternal life because we have the gift of God loving in and through us. This last point emphasizes the truth that it is the Holy Spirit who builds and makes holy the Church, the Body of Christ. The Spirit makes Christ’s Paschal mystery present in the church through the sacraments, especially through Holy Communion. This last point emphasizes the truth that it is the Holy Spirit who builds and makes holy the Church, the Body of Christ. The Spirit makes Christ’s Paschal mystery present in the church through the sacraments, especially through Holy Communion.

The Giver of Life The Holy Spirit also showers us with other gifts to help us live as children of God. These gifts are not for our own personal betterment, but for the building up of the church. These gifts include: The Holy Spirit also showers us with other gifts to help us live as children of God. These gifts are not for our own personal betterment, but for the building up of the church. These gifts include:

Gifts that build up the church- As listed in Paul’s in his First Letter to the Corinthians, they are wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracle working, prophecy, discernment, speaking in tongues, and interpreting tongues. Gifts that build up the church- As listed in Paul’s in his First Letter to the Corinthians, they are wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracle working, prophecy, discernment, speaking in tongues, and interpreting tongues. Gift that give spiritual fruit- Paul describes fruits of the Holy Spirit, that result from the spirit living in us. They are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Gift that give spiritual fruit- Paul describes fruits of the Holy Spirit, that result from the spirit living in us. They are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Gifts that sanctify- The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, these gifts are wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord. Gifts that sanctify- The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, these gifts are wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord.

Gifts of the Spirit- Coat of Arms Wisdom- the ability to look at reality from God’s point of view. Wisdom- the ability to look at reality from God’s point of view. Understanding- helps us reflect on the deeper meaning of our faith. Understanding- helps us reflect on the deeper meaning of our faith. Knowledge- enables us to have a more complete grasp of our faith and the way in which God reveals himself in this world. Knowledge- enables us to have a more complete grasp of our faith and the way in which God reveals himself in this world. Counsel- right judgment, helps us form our conscience in light of church teaching. Counsel- right judgment, helps us form our conscience in light of church teaching. Fortitude- gives us the strength to do the right thing. Fortitude- gives us the strength to do the right thing. Piety- reverence of the Lord and respect for the dignity of others. Piety- reverence of the Lord and respect for the dignity of others. Fear of the Lord- shows concern about the reality of sin in one’s life. Fear of the Lord- shows concern about the reality of sin in one’s life.

The Holy Spirit in Salvation History

Example of the Holy Spirit’s involvement in Salvation History At Creation- The breath (ruah) of God and the Word of God were ate work in the creation of everything that exists, especially breathing life into Adam and Eve. At Creation- The breath (ruah) of God and the Word of God were ate work in the creation of everything that exists, especially breathing life into Adam and Eve. In the Covenant with Abraham- Faith and the power of the Holy Spirit had a big role in Abraham fathering a child. From his bloodline the Messiah would come. In the Covenant with Abraham- Faith and the power of the Holy Spirit had a big role in Abraham fathering a child. From his bloodline the Messiah would come. In the manifestations of God and the Law- The Holy Spirit was present when God handed the Law to Moses. It was through the power of God’s spirit that allowed the Hebrew people to observe the law. In the manifestations of God and the Law- The Holy Spirit was present when God handed the Law to Moses. It was through the power of God’s spirit that allowed the Hebrew people to observe the law.

In the Kingdom and the Exile- The spirit inspired kings like David who would rule in God’s name. Unfortunately the Israelites were unfaithful to the covenant. They were carried off to exile, where the Spirit sustained them until they could return to the Promise Land. After so many years of unfaithfulness in exile, the Spirit spoke through prophets, who called for people to be faithful, and promised a Messiah. In the Kingdom and the Exile- The spirit inspired kings like David who would rule in God’s name. Unfortunately the Israelites were unfaithful to the covenant. They were carried off to exile, where the Spirit sustained them until they could return to the Promise Land. After so many years of unfaithfulness in exile, the Spirit spoke through prophets, who called for people to be faithful, and promised a Messiah. Finally, in the ministry and person of Jesus Christ- Jesus did not abolish the Law of Sinai, instead he fulfilled it. The Holy Spirit completed in Mary all the preparations for Christ’s coming among the people of God. The Spirit spoke through John the Baptist, anointed Jesus at his baptism, led him into the desert, and empowered him to preach the Gospel in Nazareth and surrounding areas. Jesus gradually revealed the mystery of the Holy Spirit. As Jesus continued his ministry, the Holy Spirit remained with him. Finally, in the ministry and person of Jesus Christ- Jesus did not abolish the Law of Sinai, instead he fulfilled it. The Holy Spirit completed in Mary all the preparations for Christ’s coming among the people of God. The Spirit spoke through John the Baptist, anointed Jesus at his baptism, led him into the desert, and empowered him to preach the Gospel in Nazareth and surrounding areas. Jesus gradually revealed the mystery of the Holy Spirit. As Jesus continued his ministry, the Holy Spirit remained with him.