Most of us have an image of God the Father that we grew up with, for some, a kindly grandfather, and for others, a stern judge. Jesus is even easier to imagine because of countless gospel stories, movies or even series, like The Chosen. But as soon as we think we understand either one of them, we are wrong. Our mental depictions are limited and cannot possibly grasp the entirety of who God is and the Love poured out for us. So we cling to ideas that are helpful or move us in some way. Describing the Holy Spirit is even more difficult. I once heard a priest admit that preaching on Holy Trinity Sunday is one of the more challenging theological concepts to preach on.

The Church teaches us that we only come to know and believe in Jesus because of the Holy Spirit. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that the Holy Spirit is the soul of the Mystical Body of Christ (i.e., the Church, each of us as believers). The Catechism says that the Holy Spirit is “the principle of every vital and truly saving action in each part of the Body” (CCC 798)

But if you are like me, that is too lofty. I need images, analogies, music and poetry to help me grasp more difficult constructs. Each year on Pentecost Sunday, which we celebrate today, I find myself in a familiar place, with a deep desire to know and understand the Holy Spirit better, asking the Spirit to help me grow in knowledge and wisdom.

I would like to share some of the thoughts, shared in prayer or written word, that I have found helpful for this Solemnity in the Church. I can’t promise that they will guide you to a better understanding of the Holy Spirit. I believe we have to ask and pray for the gifts of wisdom, understanding, knowledge and counsel. But maybe, just as Jesus entered the locked upper room in which the apostles, and the women close to him waited and prayed, the door will be unlocked and we will emerge with a bit more peace, faith and courage to see where and how we are being guided in life.

St Augustine’s Holy Spirit Prayer: Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy…

Pentecost Prayer from Days of the Lord for the Easter Season: “Open your hearts to the breath of God, his life is grafted to the souls that he touches; May a new people rise from the waters over which hovers the Spirit of your baptism! Let us open our hearts to the breath of God, for he breathes in our mouths, more than we do ourselves!

St. Hildegard’s writing on the Holy Spirit and viriditas, or “greening power.” For Hildegard, the Holy Spirit is the divine life-force that breathes into the universe. It is the ultimate source of energy which brings spiritual and physical health, creativity, and helps us as spiritual beings grow and flourish. Looking at her art, or listening to her chants, help me as I try to connect with this life-force. You can listen to her beautiful Spiritus Sanctus chant as sung by the Benedictine Nuns of the Abbey of St. Hildegard by clicking here.

St. Teresa of Avila (another of my favorite women wisdom guides) said that the Holy Spirit is the “living water” that helps satisfy our thirst and longing for God, the “interior master” that teaches us, guiding our prayer and helping to transform our will to align with God’s.

Litany of the Holy Spirit: “ray of heavenly light, author of all good, source of heavenly water, consuming fire…Holy Spirit, inflame us with the flame of your love…teach us to pray well.”

Pope Leo XIV, Angelus Address today, May 24, said that the Holy Spirit acts like a “mighty wind” to open doors that send us out into the world. He described three doors that the Spirit helps us open. First, faith in God himself, who grants faith and understanding in holy Scripture, which allows us to have a personal encounter with Jesus. I reflect on my experience with Lectio Divina and Imaginative Prayer, which help me hear and respond to Jesus. Second, Pope Leo said that the Church helps us with our fears and anxieties in the face of today’s challenges in the world. It invites us to be open, hospitable and loving to others in the world. Finally, the third door that the Holy Spirit open is the “the door of our heart, helping us to overcome resistance, selfishness, mistrust and prejudice, while enabling us to live as children of God and brothers and sisters to one another. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, fraternity is born among individuals, groups and peoples of the Earth, and all speak the same language of love, which unites and brings harmony despite our differences.”

This week I pray that the Spirit descend upon all of us, like dew in the early morning, refreshing our spirits and souls, helping us to grow in wisdom and understanding. I pray that the doors of fear and worry to be thrown open and replaced with a spirit of trust in God’s abundant love for each of us. I pray that the Spirit, in each of us, help us to be a people of love and care, each with a spirit that cares for the common good and well-being of our neighbors and our planet.

Come Holy Spirit, Come!

Wishing you abundant peace, Deena

Today’s Image: a photo taken in the Vatican of a dove with an olive branch.