1. Introduction
a) Identifying the Spirit

• Cannot define the Spirit, but no mistaking its presence
• No difficulty in identifying those who had not received the Spirit cf. Acts 8:14-17; and Acts 19:1-7
• No one can say "Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit

b) Neglect of the Holy Spirit

• The Spirit is only accessible through symbols: wind, breath, fire etc.
• Emphasis upon system of rules and ceremonies
• Lost our sense of Christian fellowship
• Suspicious of all movements of enthusiasm
• Steps towards recovery: John XXIII and the opening of Vatican II - Paul VI: "the Church needs her perennial Pentecost" - John Paul II: encyclical on the Holy Spirit (1986) - emergence of the charismatic renewal
• Recovery of that Spirit taken for granted in Scripture: Ez 36:26

2. Who is the Spirit?
a) The Creative Spirit of God

• Hovering spirit of God: waters of chaos into wonders of creation
• God breathes his own breath into Adam - he becomes a living being
• Wherever there is breakdown, the Spirit is there to renew and create - cf. Genesis l:2 and 2:7; Psalm 104

b) The Prophetic Spirit of God

• Moses meets God at the top of a mountain in a storm Ex 19:18ff.
• Elijah finds God in a tiny whispering sound 1Kgs 9:13-19.
• Bezalel is enabled to be skilled in every kind of craft Ex 31:1-5.
• Gideon becomes a most remarkable leader Jgs 6:14-15.
• Samson is freed from the ropes and cords that bound him Jgs 15:14.
• The great prophets are conscious of being possessed by the Spirit the most famous being Is 61:1-3; but see also Ez 37:4-6.

c) Experience of the Spirit of God

• Increasing sense of anticipation: what was going to happen? - cf. Jer 31:33; Ez 36:26-27; Ez 47 'the spring in the Temple'
• To whom is this going to happen? It is for all. Jl 2:28-29
• Likened to relationship between husband and wife. Hos 2:16-22; Song of Songs 1:8-10; 8:6-7.

d) God's Spirit in Jesus. All connected with the birth of Jesus are filled with the Spirit.

• John the Baptist was filled with the Spirit in the womb.
• Mary is overshadowed by the Spirit Lk. 1: 3 5.
• Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit, verse 4!
• Zechariah, too, is filled with the Holy Spirit, verse 67. (In all these, there is an outburst of praise.)
• The Spirit descended upon Jesus at his Baptism, Lk 3:22.
• Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert, Lk 4: 1.
• Empowered by the Spirit, Jesus begins his public ministry
• Jesus becomes the source of the life-giving spirit: "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me!" (Feast of Tabernacles, fulfilment of Ez 47:1ff.)
• Finally, Jesus crucified in weakness is raised by the Spirit of God
• In the death of Jesus, the Spirit is finally released, Jn. 19:30.

3. The Spirit of Pentecost.
"When Pentecost day came round, they had all met together, when suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of a violent wind which filled the entire house in which they were sitting; and there appeared to them tongues as of fire; these separated and came to rest on the head of each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak different languages as the Spirit gave them power to express themselves" (Acts 2:1-4).

• Pentecost, celebrated seven weeks after Passover
• Originally, an agricultural feast celebrated in May or June.
• Gradually, a commemoration of Covenant on Mount Sinai, Ex. 19:16.
• Pentecost in Jerusalem: renewal of God's covenant.
• Anticipates the broad reach of the Gospel ' including the Gentiles.
• Peter's sermon: Pentecost as fulfilment of the prophecy of Joel
• We now live in the age of the Spirit: the Spirit is for all

4. Recognising the Spirit Today

• What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
• What impact should it have and/or does it have upon our parishes?
• "The world is calling for evangelisers to speak to it of a God whom the evangelists themselves should know and be familiar with as if they could see the invisible". (Pope Paul VI)

back to menu