Day Nine: God the Spirit and Love, Part Three

Students will be able to describe how the Holy Spirit has always been working to help humanity grow closer in relationship with God.

The Holy Spirit has always been at work in the development of a relationship between God and humanity, helping us, in particular, to learn how to Love and to be Loved. In Genesis, when God creates Adam, Adam is not alive until God “breathes” into him. Scripture uses the word ruah to describe that “breath” or “spirit”. It can be thought that even at the first breath of humanity the Spirit is moving in us. Ruah is used often to refer to the presence of God when various people in the Old Testament encounter God. They are encountering the Holy Spirit. I could spend an entire semester giving examples of the Spirit moving in humanity, especially in Scripture, but I focus on the passage from Genesis to indicate that even at the very birth of humanity, the Holy Spirit seems to already be guiding us. Later, in the New Testament, the Holy Spirit takes on a more discernible dimension.

My classroom on any given morning. (P. smith)

In the New Testament Jesus promises to send an “advocate” after He is gone. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit gives courage and the gift of speaking in many languages to the Apostles so they could preach the message of God’s Love and our authentic Self. As the Church begins to grow, the Holy Spirit continues to guide humanity in developing a relationship with God, in particular through the development of Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition.

Even today, on a more personal level, when “God things” happen (Providence) that is likely the Holy Spirit reminding us that we are Loved and cared for, personally. When our heart tells us to help another person (for no particular reason) this is likely the Holy Spirit inspiring us to Love.

St. Ignatius Cemetery in West Baden Springs, Indiana. A place where I have felt the Holy Spirit. (P. Smith)

I like to ask my students if they have any examples of times when they have experienced the Holy Spirit in this way. It can take a little effort, sometimes, as many of my students may not have considered that the Holy Spirit has ever been at work in their lives. Of course, if the Holy Spirit is present, then perhaps they will share examples of Him working in their lives.