The work of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Holy Trinity. He is at work in our lives just as He was in the lives of the Apostles. Even in the Acts of the Apostles, we can observe His actions and reflect on our own lives in the light of them.

The proclamation of God’s wonders

At Pentecost, God’s wonders were proclaimed in languages that the people gathered there could understand.

Father Sullivan S.J., then Professor of Dogmatic Theology at the Gregorian University in Rome, said that this is how we should understand the ‘speaking in tongues’ at Pentecost; in relation to the feast of the Covenant at Sinai, as described in a rabbinic tradition, where it is said that this took place in the 70 languages of all the nations of the world. Hence the need to emphasise the proclamation of God’s wonders. What has He done for me? What has He enabled me to do for Him? What marvellous things is He doing for others and in the world? What marvellous things are others doing for him? Hence the importance of testimonies. Proclaiming God’s marvellous deeds for us is a sign of the Holy Spirit, just as it was for the Apostles at Pentecost.

Proclamation of the Word of God

One of the most significant works of the Holy Spirit within us is the ability to proclaim the Good News, the Word of God. Saint Paul tells us that no one can say that Jesus is Lord without the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:3). We also understand this as the Proclamation of the Word of God. Pope Paul VI said that training in evangelisation is good; but without the Holy Spirit it is in vain. Evangelisation is therefore a direct work of the Holy Spirit. In the Acts of the Apostles we see how they set about the work of evangelisation. They undertook long and often perilous journeys; they were persecuted and threatened, yet they continued to evangelise. Immediately after Jesus’ death, they were afraid of the Jews. After Pentecost, the Holy Spirit drove them everywhere to proclaim the Good News of Christ. Anyone in whom the Holy Spirit is at work cannot help but evangelise. They will overcome all fears and all excuses and will share the life of God with others.

Conversion

Conversion is the result of the work of God’s Word within us. If people are not sufficiently converted, it is because they have not truly heard God’s Word. How can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? (Romans 10:14–17). We must seek ways to proclaim the Word of God effectively and in ‘the language’ that others understand, that is to say, using methods that enable them to take the Word of God to heart. When the Word of God is proclaimed effectively, as at Pentecost, conversions follow. On that day, 3,000 people were converted, as recorded in Acts 2:41. By Acts 4:4, the number had already reached 5,000. Conversion is the work of the Holy Spirit. Anyone in whom the Holy Spirit is at work will be increasingly converted. Those who do not convert are hindering the work of the Holy Spirit.

The Christian community

A true and healthy Christian community is the work of the Holy Spirit. Those who receive the Holy Spirit, those in whom He is at work, must not only belong to the wider community of the Church, but also strengthen the smaller communities and groups within which they find themselves. All those who had become believers were united (Acts 2:42–47). Being part of a group such as ours, walking the faith journey within it and committing oneself to it is the work of the Holy Spirit. But this must also lead us to integrate fully into the normal life of the wider Church community.

Miracles

The Holy Spirit works miracles within the Church and the community. One example is the healing of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate (Acts 3:1–10). We must not refuse to pray that the Holy Spirit may bring about, in our midst and in our lives, things that seem impossible, for ‘nothing is impossible with God’. Let us pray often to the Holy Spirit and offer up to him our problems, our difficulties and our illnesses. He listens to us and acts.

Persecution and martyrdom

In the Acts of the Apostles, we see the Apostles beaten, thrown into prison and killed, as in the case of Stephen. Because of our love for God, because we belong to him, because of the presence of the Holy Spirit within us, and because of the signs and conversions that take place, there is persecution. Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If you were of the world, the world would love you. If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you too’ (Jn 14:18–20). The presence of the Holy Spirit and his work will cause us to endure suffering, sacrifices and crosses. These will include, amongst other things, suffering inflicted by others, suffering in order to love others, suffering in order to love God, and difficulties in accepting God’s will. Jesus said: ‘Whoever wishes to follow me must take up their cross daily and follow me’ (Luke 9:23–25). Fortunately, the presence of the Holy Spirit in a person enables them to offer praise even in the midst of persecution. Paul and Silas sang God’s praises whilst in prison (Acts 16:22–34). That is why it is good to pray to the Holy Spirit that he may grant us the grace to accept the sufferings that cannot be changed and to entrust them to him, and to strengthen us to accept the sacrifices necessary to love our brothers and sisters and to love God. To grant us the grace to remain united to him whatever the persecutions and temptations, so that we may neither flee from him nor betray him.

Consecration to God

The example of the ordination of the deacons (Acts 6:1–7) and of Paul’s calling teaches us that it is not enough simply to take an interest in God and to love him a little. ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart’ (Mark 12:34). Many people regard God in their lives as just one element amongst many others. But God must take first place. I must devote myself entirely to God, living only for Him. Here, many are afraid and hesitate; they give a little to God, but not everything. Let us pray to the Holy Spirit to help us devote ourselves to Him. Let us entrust to Him those who are specially consecrated, such as priests and nuns. Let us pray for Full Members. Let us also pray for our family members, that they may love God with all their hearts. Let us pray that He will help us to make resolutions of consecration. If we truly pray to the Holy Spirit, He will help us.

Henri Bayemi