The Greatest Works of the Holy Spirit

Pentecost Sunday

May 24, 2015

John 15:26-27; 16:12-15

“When he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth (John 16:13).”

Today we are celebrating the Pentecost Sunday. Here, we commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples, the momentous event at the Upper Room that practically has changed the world. Rightly also, we call this day as the ‘Birthday’ of the Holy Spirit.

Yet, as the Third Person of the Holy Trinity, He is always present with the Father and the Son from eternity to eternity. He was always present and active from the moment of creation up to the end of the ages. The Church acknowledges that the Holy Spirit inspired the human authors of the Scriptures. In the Nicaea-Constantinople Creed, we profess that He spoke also through the prophets of Old Testaments.

However, the bulk of His works are taking place from the Pentecost onward.  St. Paul reminded us that we cannot have faith in Jesus unless we are moved by the Holy Spirit. In his first letter to Corinthians, he wrote, “No one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:3).” We thank the Holy Spirit because He has made us Christians. Not only He made us believers of Jesus Christ, but also He sustains our faith. Again St. Paul would say, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom 15:13).” Even Jesus Himself cautioned us that without Holy Spirit, our salvation is impossible. “Therefore, I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven (Mat 12:31).”

The Church has always believed that the Holy Spirit plays an essential role in the seven Sacraments of Jesus Christ. He transforms every sacrament to be an efficacious sign of grace. He also prepares us to receive the grace, and indeed makes it fruitful in our lives. Particularly in the Eucharistic, the Holy Spirit comes up to be the major protagonist. His presence is made clear in the prayer of ‘epiclesis’ where the priest saying “Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray, by sending down your spirit upon them like the dewfall, so that they may become for us the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Indeed, He is present in entire Eucharist and mainly responsible for the changing of the bread and wine into be the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

However, the greatest work of the Holy Spirit is actually happening in our daily and ordinary lives. When we are so angry with our friend who has hurt us, yet finally we are able to forgive him, then He is there. When our hard works are not appreciated by loved ones, yet still keep loving them, He is there. When we feel so bored and empty, but eventually we decide to go to the Church and pray to the Lord, He is there. When we remain faithful to our vocation, despite so many challenges and tribulations we need to endure, then He is there. His most marvelous works are actually the little yet constant conversation of our hearts toward God.

Let us thank the Holy Spirit who is always there, even though we often fail to notice and take Him for granted. Let us remember in this special day that we are nothing without Him.

“Come Holy Spirit, we need you.”

Br. Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP