Who is the Holy Spirit?
Awaiting theological review
What you will understand today
Who the Holy Spirit is, and what happened at Pentecost.
In simple words
The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity — not a force or an energy, but Someone. Jesus promised to send him so that his friends would never be alone.
Fifty days after Easter, at the Jewish feast of Pentecost, the apostles were praying together. Acts describes a sound like a strong wind and tongues like fire, and the frightened disciples went out and spoke so that people of many nations understood them.
Christians believe the same Spirit is given in Baptism and Confirmation, and works quietly in ordinary life: in a conscience that wakes up, in courage, in peace.
Key Bible passage
Pentecost: the moment the Church went out.
4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began to speak with divers tongues, according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak.
Acts of the Apostles 2:4 · Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
Wisdom
Understanding
Counsel
Fortitude
Knowledge
Piety
Fear of the Lord
Did you know?
Pentecost means fiftieth in Greek. It was already a Jewish harvest feast, fifty days after Passover, which Jewish tradition also linked with the giving of the Law at Sinai.
A common misconception
The Holy Spirit is an impersonal power, like electricity.
In fact
The Holy Spirit is a divine Person, equal to the Father and the Son — someone you can speak to.
A question to take with you
Where in your life do you most need courage right now?
One small thing for today
Before something you find hard today, say three words: Come, Holy Spirit.
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