How the Holy Spirit Guides and Influences the Church
One way the Holy Spirit continues to influence and guide the church is through the liturgy of the Mass. The Holy Spirit plays a significant role during which, "the celebrant's hands are extended over the oblata--the bread and wine offered by the people--invoking in the epiclesis, the action of God Himself, the Holy Spirit upon these elements, which after the pronunciation of the words of institution by the celebrant, are transformed from being our humble gifts symbolizing ourselves, our labors and efforts, into being Christ's gift of Himself to His Heavenly Father" (The Holy Spirit in Sacred Scripture and in the Life of the Church).
"The liturgy is also a participation in Christ's own prayer addressed to the Father in the Holy Spirit. In the liturgy, all Christian prayer finds its source and goal. Through the liturgy the inner man is rooted and grounded in "the great love with which [the Father] loved us" in his beloved Son. It is the same 'marvelous work of God" that is lived and internalized by all prayer, ' at all times in the Spirit' "(CCC, 1073).
"After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, 'Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes' " (Luke 22:17-18).
“The Risen Lord is present in his Word proclaimed at Mass and in the Liturgy of the Eucharist in his Body and Blood under the species of bread and wine” (Ave Maria Press 82).
Another way the Holy Spirit guides and influences the Church is through Sacred Scripture, the Holy Bible, the inspired word of God. "Sacred Scripture is the collection of books, all of which were written under the inspiration of God, and in the Trinitarian Life, its inspiration is attributed to the Holy Spirit, the Executor of the will of Jesus" (The Holy Spirit in Sacred Scripture and in the Life of the Church).
"But since Sacred Scripture is inspired, there is another and no less important principle of correct interpretation, without which Scripture would remain a dead letter. 'Sacred Scripture must be read and interpreted in the light of the same Spirit by whom it was written'" (CCC, 111).
"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be equipped, prepared for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16–17).
"All of Sacred Scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit and is free of error. This means that Scripture contains the truth God intends to be shared and that 'everything asserted by the inspired authors or sacred writers must be held to be asserted by the Holy Spirit' (Dei Verbum, 11)" (Ave Maria Press 229).
Contemporary Examples of the Holy Spirit’s Presence in the Church
Three examples of how the Holy Spirit is present in our everyday lives are in the Gospel, in our gifting, and in our circumstances (6 Ways We Experience the Holy Spirit).
Holy Spirit as a Continuation of Jesus and His Ministry
"In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings" (Romans 8:26). This quote shows how the Holy Spirit continues the work of Christ through prayer.
At Pentecost, the Apostles were sort of "lost" and needed guidance and as Jesus promised, He sent the Holy Spirit. With the help of the Holy Spirit, the Apostles continued the work of Christ (Acts 2).
Today, the Holy Spirit continues to guide and inspire Catholics.
Personal Reflection
The project was overall not extrememly difficult to complete. The challenges I faced had to do with the sources as it was difficult to find some of them. All of this information relates to me in several ways. The Holy Spirit could be considered as a "helper" through life and our faith. In my life, I consider myself to often times look out for my younger sister and my friends. I always strive to help whoever has a situation and needs help. Working individually I found was very different and difficult. In my opinion, I prefer collaborating in a group project, with responsible group members of course, because it is easier since you have other people to help you.
