DAY 5

The Holy Spirit, the giver of life and joy

Scripture Readings

Ezekiel 36:24-28
Psalm 104:24-25, 27-29, 33-34
John 3:4-8

Patristic Reading

From the Syriac tradition

It is not correct to say that the Spirit departs when we sin to return when we are converted … What good is it for me if he dwells in me after I have become righteous? If at the time of the fall he does not dwell in me, does not give me a hand, and does not raise me up, how will I feel his help? What physician, when he sees a sick person who falls sick, leaves and abandons him, to come to him when he becomes healthy? Is it not more useful that the physician be with the sick person at the time of his illness?

– Philoxenus of Mabbug [c. 440-523], On the Inhabitation of the Holy Spirit

For reflection:

  1. God’s Spirit renews the face of the earth every day, calling us to cooperation.
  2. What are the sources of joy in your life and how are they related to the Holy Spirit?
  3. Where do we see the Holy Spirit at work, overcoming our divisions and drawing us into deeper unity, and how can we join in this work?

Prayer

R/ Amen, amen! Alleluia!

You are the Spirit breathed upon the face of Adam: making human flesh a living being. R/

You are the Spirit given by the Risen One: our sins have been forgiven. R/

You are the Spirit sent at Pentecost: you opened the way for the Gospel to reach all people. R/

You are the Spirit that awakens our prayer: we are held in God’s love. R/

You are the Spirit of God poured out upon the dead: the graves will be opened, and the dead will rise R/

Let us pray:

God our Father,
you have revealed to us the wondrous mystery of your life, sending your Son into the world and sharing with us your Spirit of holiness and joy. Let us rejoice in the Spirit, who renews the face of the earth and draws us towards unity. We confess our faith in you, the One God, three times Holy: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed are you, now and for ever and ever. AMEN.

Alternative Patristic Readings

From the Greek tradition

This is my God, the Lord of all, who alone stretched out the heavens and established the breadth of the earth under it, … who founded the earth upon the waters and gave a spirit to nourish it; whose breath gives light to the whole, who, if he withdrew his breath, the whole would utterly fail. By him you speak, O man. His breath you breathe yet him you know not.

  • Theophilus of Antioch [2nd century], Ad Autolycus, I:7

From the Latin tradition

“Your heavenly Father will give the good Spirit to those who ask him.” This is the Spirit by virtue of whom is poured out in our hearts the love with which we observe the divine commandments, by loving God and neighbour. This is the Spirit by virtue of whom we cry out: “Abba, Father”. It is therefore the Spirit who gives us the capacity to ask, and it is the same Spirit whom we desire to receive. It is he who makes us seek, and it is he whom we desire to find.

  • Augustine of Hippo [354-430], Exposition on Psalm 118, 14:2

Alternative Canadian Readings

The Spirit blesses us with various gifts. We seek to discover those gifts and to use them for our Lord. Faithful loving service is a sign that the Spirit is present.

The presence of the Spirit is evident where people are made whole, encouraged,

and enabled to grow in Christ.[1]  

[1] Living Faith, 4.3.4