Come Holy Spirit By: Jesse Rivera

How does the Holy Spirit guide/influence the Church?

1- We are taught that God’s plan for humanity would be complete by the common work of the trinity (The Catechism of the Catholic Church). The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are included in the trinity. They go hand and hand with God's work. Everyone who glorifies God does so through the Son in the Holy Spirit. Everyone who follows Jesus Christ does so because God draws him and the Spirit controls him (The Catechism of the Catholic Church).

John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."

2- Another way Holy Spirit guides the church is through sacraments. Many parts of the church are influenced and directly based off the Spirit. Water and Fire are only two elements of the many. Water is important for the sake of baptizing. In the action of baptizing, the sacramental sign of new birth is presented through the invocation of the Holy Spirit (The Catechism of the Catholic Church). Fire symbolizes the transforming energy of the Holy Spirit's actions. Jesus will say of the Spirit: "I came to cast fire upon the earth" (http://www.catholicfaithandreason.org/the-holy-spirit-in-the-life-of-the-church.html).

John 3:5 "Jesus answered, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.'"

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p1s2c3a8.html

http://www.catholicfaithandreason.org/the-holy-spirit-in-the-life-of-the-church.html

Contemporary Examples of the Holy Spirit's Presence

1- Baptism shows the presence of the Holy Spirit in a big way. Infact, we are directly connected to the Holy Spirit at that time. At baptism, the Prophet Ezekiel says that he will cleanse us with water making our hearts rid it's impurities. Leading us away from the impurities gives us a clearer sight of being one with God.

Ezekiel 36:25 "I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols."

2- An example of the Holy Spirit being present in the Church is when Pentecost approaches and we wait until the 7 weeks of Easter come to an end. We wait until Pentecost because once Christ's Passover is fulfilled, he allows the Holy Spirit to communicate as a spirit and "manifest" himself into our hearts.(Catechism of the Catholic Church; chapter 3 article 8)

Acts 11:15 "And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did upon us at the beginning."

3- I've had many experiences where I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit while in church. One key experience was my Communion. After a couple years of hard work and dedication in the church community, I was able to see where the work paid off. I was cleansed from my sins and made my communion. Although I've always felt something while going to church, it's been a different, special feeling ever since that day.

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p1s2c3a8.html

http://www.catholicworldreport.com/Blog/2260/pope_francis_reflects_on_the_work_and_power_of_the_holy_spirit.aspx

Knowledge and Personal Experience

The Holy Spirit as a Continuation of Jesus and his Ministry

Apostles are Christ's disciples whose missions are to preach the gospel in word and deed (Ava Maria Press #23.) We as followers of the Catholic faiths can be considered apostles. At Pentecost, the apostles began speaking about Jesus to all Jews from different empires (Ava Maria Press #24.) The Catechism explains that because we are sons and daughters of God, we have a mission to teach one another (Matthew 12:31-33).

"Ava Maria Press: Jesus and the Church"

Personal Reflection

Throughout all of my research, I've definitely understood more of the Holy Spirit and its power. I can't say I knew it’s impact and importance on a Catholic before I completed this project. This can be related to me on a daily basis. When the Holy Spirit is mentioned in my daily life, I know know more meaning and reasoning behind it. Going to a catholic school results in many references to the Holy Spirit and I can know relate. The examples I found are also helpful in guiding one who doesn't know much about the Holy Spirit of the Catholic faith. Some things I learned in this project include elements of the Holy Spirit, more about baptism, and the trinity.

The End

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