Come Holy Spirit Come!

Come Holy Spirit Come!

As Jesus prepared to lay down His life for us, He promised His disciple, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever” (John 14:16). In this translation (NIV) the word  παράκλητον--paraklēton or paraclete in English, is translated advocate, but just as often is translated comforter or helper. The word paraclete comes from two Greek words, para meaning "alongside of" and clete meaning "come." So, the Holy Spirit comes alongside us to be with us through the course of our lives. The Paraclete is the Advocate, the Counselor, the Helper, not a spiritual force, but the divine person of God who does the work of the Father and the Son here on earth as He walks with us through life.

The person and work of the Holy Spirit is the fulfillment of Jesus’ divine promise (to send another) and the only Way to grow and deepen our relationship with God. At all times we must remember that the Paraclete is God and that the power of God is present in our lives. Through the Holy Spirit all things came into being, as we are told in Genesis 1 and declare each Sunday through the Nicene Creed. The Holy Spirit is the power which created you and me, as witnessed by Job when he said, “The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life" (Job 33:4). Through the power of the Holy Spirit, everyone who believes in Jesus is reborn, and we are empowered to live in obedience to God as the Holy Spirit indwells us (John 3:5-8). And we are assured of our salvation by St. John, “Truly, . . . the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" (1 John 4:4).

Most importantly, Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit so that we might know Him. The Holy Spirit reveals Christ to us through the Bible, softening our hearts and opening our eyes to the Gospel Truth, so that we can love, obey, and live for Jesus. Indeed, the Holy Spirit authored all of Scripture for this purpose to inspire all people from different backgrounds, professions, locations, and periods so that we would grow in God, in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We are all called to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus” (2 Peter 3:18) and to “live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10). The Holy Spirit enables us to pursue godliness and to become more like Christ is the process by being conformed to the likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ through obedience and trust in God. We are told that

• The Holy Spirit reveals Jesus and shows us our sin so that we may be forgiven and open ourselves more fully to God. (John 16:8, 13; Eph 1:17-18; Luke 24:32).
• That, through baptism, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit declared as God’s own possession and Christ’s own forever. (Eph 4:30; 2 Cor 1:21-22; Gal 4:6; BCP pg. 308).
• The Holy Spirit fills us, gives us life, strength, hope, and freedom (Rom 8:2, 6, 13; Rom 15:13; Eph 5:18; 2 Cor 3:17).
• That the Holy Spirit anoints us to be a royal priesthood, giving us joyful hearts (Eph 5:18-20; 1 John 2:20-21, 27).
• That the Holy Spirit manifests divine gifts in us (fruit) as we abide in Christ, giving us the will to obey (Gal 5:22-23; 2 Tim 1:7; Phil 2:13).
• That the Holy Spirit enables us to truly love, and be a blessing to others and to strengthen the church (1 Cor 12:8-10; Rom 12:6-10; Eph 4:4; Col 3:16).
• The Holy Spirit intercedes, or prays, for us using perfect wisdom in accordance with God's will (Rom 8:26-27; 1 Cor 2:12-14; Acts 6:9-10).
• The Holy Spirit is present in fellowships with us, guiding and refreshing us as we seek for Christ (2 Cor 13:14; Acts 8:29; John 7:37-39).

In every Way, the Holy Spirit exerts unparalleled power and love. With the same power that raised Jesus from the dead and brought the cosmos into being, the Holy Spirit transforms us into the image of Christ with ever-increasing glory—if only we will cast off all our self-sufficiency and surrender ourselves body and soul to this divine person, the Paraclete, the Counselor, the Helper, the Holy Spirit.

Breathe into me, Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Move in me, Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Attract my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy. Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is holy. Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy.
Saint Augustine

On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses,
I offer myself soul and body to Thee, Eternal Spirit of God.
I adore the brightness of Thy purity, the unerring keenness of Thy justice, and the might of Thy love.
Thou art the Strength and Light of my soul. In Thee I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve Thee by unfaithfulness to grace, and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against Thee.
Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Thy light and listen to Thy voice and follow Thy gracious inspirations. I cling to Thee and give myself to Thee and ask Thee by Thy compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore Thee Adorable Spirit, helper of my infirmity, so to keep me in Thy grace that I may never sin against Thee. Give me grace O Holy Ghost, Spirit of the Father and the Son, to say to Thee always and  everywhere, "Speak Lord, for Thy servant heareth."    Amen.
 
Amen. Amen.

Fr. Bill+