Hey there,
On Sunday we celebrate Pentecost … when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles.
It represents the end of the Easter season … and the birth of the Catholic Church.
It’s kind of a big thing.
I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I really don’t give the Holy Spirit that much thought.
Most of my prayers are to God and Jesus. And then there are prayers to Mary with the Rosary. And an occasional prayer to certain patron Saints for special intercessions.
But I just don’t give the Holy Spirit much thought. I guess you could say I take Him for granted.
I know He is there in the Trinity. And I know that I received the Holy Spirit in Baptism and Confirmation.
Fortunately, I’ve learned a great deal putting together this jam-packed issue of Genuflect! It covers what Pentecost is, what the Paraclete is, the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit in the sacraments, the Holy Spirit working in us … and that’s just for starters!
LIttle did I know … there is so much more to the Holy Spirit.
I hope you find something in here that’s new to you as well. I will definitely not be taking the Holy Spirit for granted in the future.
Keep Believing-
Katy Barrilleaux
Editor, Genuflect
P.S. If you are on Facebook, be sure to like the Genuflect page. We share other stories and inspirational quotes there. And even an occasional question is posed for discussion.
genuflect: sponsor
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genuflect: resources
Pentecost in 2 Minutes
Can’t remember what or when Pentecost is? Well for starters, it’s this Sunday. And if you want a little more info on this celebration of the Holy Spirit and the birthday of the Church, take a look at Busted Halo’s two-minute video.
The Paraclete
Jesus calls the Holy Spirit the “Paraclete” as he prepares the disciples for his departure (John 14:15-21). Frankly, this does not help us much – unless, of course, we get a bit of explanation. Marcellino D’Ambrosio explains.
The Holy Spirit in The Sacraments
Very Rev. Peter Stravinskas provides an in-depth look at how the Holy Spirit acts in each of the sacraments.
7 Ways The Holy Spirit is Working in You
When Jesus ascended into heaven, He promised to send us another Advocate. That Advocate is the Holy Spirit, which descended on the disciples at Pentecost and is sealed in each one of us at our Confirmation. The Holy Spirit does not give us magical powers or compel us to act in certain ways against our will. However, the Spirit does give us gifts that we can accept and nurture as we try to become more like Christ. If you have received the Holy Spirit, it is working in you through these 7 gifts.
Ten Ways to Grow in Devotion to The Holy Spirit
The thrust and purpose of this short essay is to help us to become more familiar with the oft forgotten person of the Most Blessed Trinity: The Holy Spirit. Our growth in holiness and our salvation depends upon many things, but of primary importance is our intimate union and friendship with the Holy Spirit who desires very much to be our most intimate and best of Friends! Here are 10 ways to grow in devotion to the Holy Spirit.
A Relationship With The Holy Spirit is as Simple as This One Word
The action of the Holy Spirit can pass unnoticed, and it can be harder to form a relationship with this Person of the Trinity than with the other two. If he’s the Great Unknown in your life, try some of these ideas to get on friendlier terms.
Prayer For The Seven Gifts of The Holy Spirit
You’ve heard of a gift that keeps on giving? The Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit spells out with wonderful clarity some of the ways these gifts can bring us closer to our Lord through His Spirit.
The Holy Spirit Enables us to Love All, Despite Rejection
The third Person of the Trinity animates the life of the church, writes Msgr. Joseph Prior. Sustained by his power, the faithful can live in vibrant, visible communion that embraces even the hardest hearts.
Why The Holy Spirit’s Continual Presence Should Give us Hope And Joy
It’s tempting to believe that the Holy Spirit only came upon the apostles at Pentecost, and that the Spirit is no longer active in the world. Yet, to believe that would be to deny the great gift Jesus promised when he said to his disciples, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always” (John 14:16).
Genesis Contains The First Biblical Reference to The Holy Spirit
Even though an explicit belief in a triune God did not arrive until the incarnation of Jesus and the advent of Christianity, there exists veiled references to such a belief in the Jewish Old Testament.
How Therese Aaker Met The Holy Spirit (And You Can, Too)
Weirdly, we Catholics don’t talk too much about the Holy Spirit and who He is in everyday conversation. Jesus we understand better; the Holy Spirit, less so. And any kind of talk about the gifts of the Holy Spirit just weirded Therese Aaker out. Until she met the Holy Spirit as a real Person…and He did something very similar in her.
Police Say “Holy Spirit” Saved Speeder From Ticket
Divine intervention may have saved a German speeder from a hefty fine, according to police. At least he has Mother Nature to thank. See the speed camera photo that has taken the internet by storm.
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