The sign of the cross is so instinctive to our faith that it’s as natural as the blink
of an eye or a deep breath. We bless, pray, and hope “in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” One of our special opportunities—and challenges!—in our Christian lives is our ongoing desire to be filled with, guided by, and expressive of the Holy Spirit.
As elusive to grasp as the Holy Spirit may seem, Jesus teaches us as He taught His apostles about the nature of the Holy Spirit. At the Last Supper, as the apostles were agonizing over the impending loss of Jesus, He spoke to them of the comfort He would leave with them. “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth . . .” (John 14:16–17). His presence did not end when Jesus was physically separated; the apostles and we are gifted with Him through the Eucharist and through the unending presence of the Holy Spirit. This presence was meant to make it possible for the disciples to continue to live for Jesus as Christians, as it does for us.
Jesus taught us who the Holy Spirit is, and the Holy Spirit teaches us who Jesus is. Through the presence of the Spirit within us, we grow in our understanding of how to become more like Christ, how to know God better and love Him ever more deeply. The “Fruits of the Holy Spirit” described to us by Saint Paul define the attributes of the Holy Spirit and the resulting good we bring to bear in the world together with the Holy Spirit. These are real, meaningful expressions—fruits—that we actively strive to share as we grow in holiness.
The list of these fruits are a comfort to keep in mind and heart: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. What sweet fruits these are that bring to life the ways we can bring forth the grace and love of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in the world.
We can bring the Holy Spirit into clearer focus every day. Use prayer, awareness of the spiritual journey that should guide our lives, and intentional actions of those fruits to get to know the Spirit. How can I be more patient? Kinder? Gentler? Was I joyous and in control of my thoughts and actions today? In faith I pray: Come, Holy Spirit.
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