The Holy Spirit

1
The Holy Spirit
2
Acts 2
3
Who is the Holy Spirit?

• The Holy Spirit did not just appear at Pentecost!
  As God, He always existed!
• The Holy Spirit is truly a person not just a
  magical force.
• (Not a what, but a WHO, not an it, but a HE)
• He is the life-giving breath of God- in Hebrew
  ruah
• He is Gods greatest gift to us the gift of
  Himself dwelling within us!

4
Why do we need the Holy Spirit?
"No one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except by the
Holy Spirit.
This knowledge of faith is possible only in the
Holy Spirit to be in touch with Christ, we must
first have been touched by the Holy Spirit. He
comes to meet us and kindles faith in us.
5
What does the Holy Spirit do?

• Safeguards the church from error in matters of
  faith and morals
• Strengthens and matures the gifts we received at
  Baptism
• Acts as our Advocate and our Defender guiding and
  protecting us
• Gives us the light to discover the Truth
• Helps us in prayer
• Helps us speak Gods word with boldness

6
What else does the Holy Spirit do?

• Comforts and consoles us
• Empowers us to overcome sin
• Energizes people (Mary at the Annunciation, Jesus
  at his Baptism, the disciples at Pentecost, You
  doing what you know is right)
• Builds up the Body of Christ, the Church, and
  makes it holy
• THE SPIRIT IS THE POWER OF GOD (GOD HIMSELF) AT
  WORK IN US!

7
Titles of the Holy Spirit
Paraclete
Consoler
When he proclaims and promises the coming of the
Holy Spirit, Jesus calls him the "Paraclete,"
literally, "he who is called to one's side,"
ad_vocatus. "Paraclete" is commonly translated as
"consoler," and Jesus is the first consoler.
The Lord also called the Holy Spirit "the Spirit
of truth. Besides the proper name of "Holy
Spirit," which is most frequently used in the
Acts of the Apostles and in the Epistles, we also
find in St. Paul the titles the Spirit of the
promise, the Spirit of adoption, the Spirit of
Christ, the Spirit of the Lord, and the Spirit of
God - and, in St. Peter, the Spirit of glory.
8
Fire
Fire symbolizes the transforming energy of the
Holy Spirit's actions
Symbols of the Holy Spirit
The prayer of the prophet Elijah, who "arose like
fire" and whose "word burned like a torch,"
brought down fire from heaven on the sacrifice on
Mount Carmel.
9
Moses and the Burning Bush
10
Dove
Christian iconography traditionally uses a dove
to suggest the Spirit
Noah
Christs Baptism
11
Anointing
The symbolism of anointing with oil also
signifies the Holy Spirit, to the point of
becoming a synonym for the Holy Spirit. In
Christian initiation, anointing is the
sacramental sign of Confirmation
12
Water
The symbolism of water signifies the Holy
Spirit's action in Baptism, since after the
invocation of the Holy Spirit it becomes
the efficacious sacramental sign of new birth.
13
Cloud and Light
The Holy Spirit guided the Israelites to freedom
14
The Finger
God wrote the Ten Commandments Himself! They
were inscribed with the finger of Goda nice
personal touch!
15
What the Holy Spirit gives us

• 1. Gifts
• 2. Fruits
• 3. Charisms

16
The GIFTS of the Holy Spirit

• WISDOM- helps us to see clearly helps us to see
  ourselves others as God sees us
• KNOWLEDGE- ability to see how God is in our life
  and world
• PIETY- reverence for the Lord and respect for
  others

17

• FORTITUTDE- (courage) helps us give witness to
  our faith and stand up for what we know is right
  helps us act on our beliefs and persevere in
  faith. the strength to do the right thing
• UNDERSTANDING-helps us grasp the truth and see
  the world from Gods perspective leads us to
  reconciliation and peace in times of conflict

18

• COUNSEL (right judgment)- helps us act in morally
  good ways often involves asking others for help
  and offering good advice to others
• WONDER AWE (fear of the Lord)- helps us remain
  open to the loving presence of God helps us
  appreciate the mystery of the Trinity

19
FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT

• The fruits of the Spirit result from the Holy
  Spirit living in us over time.
• They are
• Patience
• Kindness
• Gentleness
• Joy
• Peace
• Love
• Faithfulness
• Generosity
• Self-control

20
What are charisms?

• Charisms are special gifts that build up the
  Church, the Body of Christ.
• They are given for the benefit of the Church
  community not for the individual.
• Paul lists them in his first letter to the
  Corinthians. They are

21
Charisms

• Wisdom
• Knowledge
• Faith
• Healing
• Miracle-Working
• Prophecy
• Discernment
• Speaking in tongues
• Interpreting tongues

22
The Holy Spirit in Your Life

• In what ways is the Holy Spirit present in you
  and with you?
• What is the Spirit calling you to do?
• What aspects of nature help you glimpse the
  Spirit?
• How have you experienced the presence of the
  Spirit during hard times and suffering?
• How do you experience the work of the Spirit in
  your faith community (or your school community)?

23
Prayer Reflection

• Holy Spirit of God
• Grant us the wisdom to see what is truth.
• Help us grow in understanding you, our Creator.
• Help us grow in knowledge of all your creation.
• Give us good counsel to know what is right.
• Grant us piety to adore you.
• Grant us fear of the Lord to respect ourselves.

24
The Holy Spirit