The Holy Spirit guides and influences the Church

One way the Holy Spirit guides and influences the Church is through missionary life and in the signs of apostolic life.

"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 signs of apostolic and missionary life" (CCC, Article 8, 688.) The Catechism states that the Church is the place where we know the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit can be known in the signs of apostolic and missionary life because these events have influenced the Church.

"The promise of the Holy Spirit is the culmination of all that Jesus said to comfort those eleven troubled men. In that hour of turmoil, they feared being left alone. However Jesus assured them that they would not be left to fend for themselves; they would have a supernatural Helper"(9marks.org.) Just as the apostles had the comfort from the Holy Spirit in their hour of turmoil, so will the Church. The Church will not be left alone, but rather have a Helper, the Holy Spirit.

“With the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Trinity was fully revealed. Certainly the Holy Spirit had been at work in the world before this day" (Ave Maria Press.) The Holy Spirit can guide the Church through Pentecost. The Holy Spirit came on that day, and continued to work throughout the Apostles lives.

"5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the l law of Moses.” 6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are" (Acts 15.) Since Christ accepts the Church, the disciples are given the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives disciples the message of the gospel to help others believe.

Another way the Holy Spirit guides and influences the Church is in prayer.

"The Church, a communion living in the faith of the apostles which she transmits, is the place where we know the Holy Spirit: in prayer, where he intercedes for us" (CCC, Article 8, 688.) Prayer is stated as one of the ways the Holy Spirit works to influence the Church. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us.

"That is, the teaching Church sets before us how we ought to pray. Drawing from the words of Christ, the writings of Scripture and the saints, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, she supplies us with prayers grounded in Christian tradition" (Loyolapress.com.) The Holy Spirit guides the Church in prayer. The Church teaches followers how to pray with help from the Holy Spirit.

“The Spirit continues to be present in: prayer, wherein he intercedes" (Ave Maria Press.) The student textbook explains a few ways the Holy Spirit continues to influence the Church. Prayer is listed as one of the ways the Holy Spirit guides the Church, "he intercedes."

1 Corinthians 14:14-18 says "For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also. Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying?" This scripture talks about the significance of praying with the spirit and mind. The Church must have the Holy Spirit when praying so the Holy Spirit can help guide them.

Contemporary Examples of the Holy Spirit's presence in the Church

The Holy Spirit’s presence continues to help the Church fulfill her task. The Holy Spirit influences the Church to live as the Body of Christ. The Spirit continues to be present in Sacred Scripture. Sacred Scripture is the collection of books, and its inspiration is from the Holy Spirit. Every part of Sacred Scripture is the work of a human author and God. Reading the scripture makes Christ present today.

The Holy Spirit also continues to be present in Sacred Tradition. Sacred Tradition comes from the apostles and what they learned from the Holy Spirit. Sacred Tradition comes from Christ. It’s the living gift of Christ to the Apostles. This is passed down to each generation. It is through Tradition that the Holy Spirit makes Jesus present today. This offers the same saving Word and Sacraments that Jesus gave to the Apostles.

The Holy Spirit is present in the Liturgy. The Liturgy is human participation in the prayer of Christ to the Father in the Holy Spirit. By sanctifying humans, the work of the Holy Spirit in the liturgy continues to seal humans in the loving relationship of the Trinity, which is at the heart of the Church. It is the Holy Spirit who inspires faith and counsels humans.

Holy Spirit as a continuation of Jesus and his ministry

“It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8.)

Jesus' presence on earth was no more and his ministry was over, but his work of salvation would continue through his disciples in the Church. Jesus’ promise was to send the Holy Spirit to direct and guide their work. He fulfilled this promise on Pentecost. On Pentecost the Church was open with the crowds and preaching begun, evanglists spread the Word nation to nation. Pentecost has often been called the “birthday of the Church."

Personal Reflection

This relates to me because the Holy Spirit guides and influences me personally. The Holy Spirit helps me accomplish things in life God calls me to do. When the Holy Spirit guides the Church, I'm affected as well. The Holy Spirit counsels and directs me in a way pleasing to God. I noticed that I learned more from working invidivually on a project opposed to a group project.