THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE CHURCH

 We know that Pentecost is the birthday of the Church.  It is through the Pentecost event that the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit bring about the full revelation of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.  It is only through the coming of the Spirit that the Church receives her power, mission, unity, and teaching authority.   The presence of the Holy Spirit allows the Apostles to begin their ministry of preaching and handing on the faith that Christ has entrusted to them.  The power of the Holy Spirit allows the multitude gathered in Jerusalem -- people from every part of the known ancient world -- to unite in one faith and one Church that transcends language and cultural barriers.  Most profoundly, the power and presence of the Holy Spirit sanctifies and transforms the hearts and minds of many by making them holy through the waters of Baptism. 

 Thus, Pentecost indeed reveals the mystery of the Church and shows that the life and mission of the Church are intimately united with the life and mission of the Holy Spirit.  As St. Augustine teaches. “What the soul is to the human body, the Holy Spirit is to the Body of Christ, which is the Church.”    The Church is a real, tangible, and living institution founded by Christ to be the sign of salvation for the entire world.   But the Church is able to be this sign and instrument through the presence of the Holy Spirit that works in and through each and every one of us, no matter our calling and state in life, to make Christ present and working in the world. 

 Session 9 of “Why Catholic?” explores how the Holy Spirit gives life to the Church.  We all need to challenge ourselves to be open to and aware of not only how the Holy Spirit has strengthened and guided the Catholic Church over the last 2,000 years, but also how the Spirit is calling us and working through us to build up the Church by our daily lives and witness.