By Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased. ‘
Luke 3, verses 21 – 22
The Holy Spirit fascinates me. I have two images that come to mind when I try to conceptualize the Holy Spirit: one involving air and one involving water. The first, and maybe this is from movies I’ve seen, is that of a big gust of wind blowing over me- like a breath of fresh air… which is such a beautiful image for what the Holy Spirit is – a breath of fresh air. God breathing into you Life and Love. This is an image of refreshment.
The second image for me starts with our bodies being a vessel that gets filled up. I imagine this great warmth, the warmth of the love of God, pouring into me until I am full. I can actually picture my face being flushed with the intense heat of this love. This all consuming love that God has for us.
Isn’t it interesting that both of these images involve nourishment – requirements for us to live. And for me that is our take away: that we need the Holy Spirit to live…to survive.
What do you think of when you think of the Holy Spirit?
Today’s prayer is from Pope Francis. He shared this prayer on May 15, 2013 in a General Audience at St. Peter’s Square.
“Holy Spirit,
make my heart open to the word of God,
make my heart open to goodness,
make my heart open to the beauty of God every day.”
Amen
