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The Holy Spirit
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“… hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us.”
Roman 5:5 -
The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, is the love shared between the Father and the Son. The Spirit is present in our lives, revealing the desires of our hearts. Often referred to as the paraclete and advocate, the Holy Spirit guides our lives toward goodness and truth in God. In the Baptism of Jesus, the Apostle John sees the Spirit of God "come down like a dove". John was only able to baptize with water, while Christ baptized with the power of the Holy Spirit.
In 1 Corinthians 2:10, Paul writes that the Holy Spirit reveals to us the depths of God, allowing us to know Him in all of His complexity. By knowing God more intimately, the Spirit allows us the ability to see as God sees. Through special gifts and fruits, the Holy Spirit guides the faithful in spiritual growth and into a deeper understading of God. -
"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Galatians 5:22 -
The 7 Gifts of the Spirit:
- Wisdom: Maturity in reason.
- Understanding: Ability to interpret truth in God's message.
- Counsel: Making sound decisions in accordance with the will of God.
- Fortitude: The courage to live and speak truth.
- Knowledge: The strength to discern truth about the wonders of creation.
- Piety: A genuine and humble faith in God.
- Fear of the Lord: A constant splendor and awe of the greatness of God.
The 12 Fruits of the Spirit:
- Love: Selflessly desiring the good of the other.
- Chastity: Upholding the intended purpose of sexuality to love with purity of heart.
- Goodness: Living as "Children of Light" by doing what is good, right and true.
- Modesty: Protecting the intimate center of the human person in emotion & body.
- Joy & Peace: Internal happiness in knowing truth.
- Patience: Placing trust in God during the sufferings of life.
- Kindness & Gentleness: Showing love with mercy and purity of heart.
- Generosity: Sharing with others the gifts given to them by God.
- Faithfulness: Authentic love and loyalty to God and to neighbor.
- Self-Control: Govern our acts by ordering our passions with wisdom and truth.
Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
and enkindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.
And you shall renew the face of the earth.
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The ChurchCatholics believe that the Church is a necessary part of God's plan of salvation. Jesus came, not only to bring us into communion with God, but also into communion with each other. He gave us the Church to provide for both of these.
The Church is refered to as the Mystical Body, a universal church that includes the faithful on earth united with the saints and angels in heaven. -