Holy Spirit Novena Day 4

St. Paul was obviously in love with the Holy Spirit. Especially the Letters to the Ephesians and to the Romans make frequent mention of the Holy Spirit. 

In Ephesians 2:22 we read, In Him you are also being built together into a dwelling place for God in the Spirit. And in Romans 8:11 he writes, If the Spirit of the One who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, then the One who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you (New Catholic Bible, St. Joseph Edition).

St. Paul wanted so much for his converts to understand the place the Holy Spirit holds in the life of every person.

The Scriptures often speak of the Holy Spirit as our Companion on the journey since He dwells within us. In Psalm 51 David makes this request of God: Do not deprive me of Your Holy Spirit. David often refers to Him with great familiarity, indicating that he and the Holy Spirit are walking companions and enjoy a warm friendship. Imagine: the man chosen to be King, who went out every spring to do battle with his enemies and who often had to settle disputes among the people, was immersed in the Holy Spirit. He was a sinner, as we are, and yet [and so] he prayed that the Holy Spirit would continue to guide him every day in every way. 

So what do we ponder this fourth day of the Novena to the Holy Spirit?  Perhaps we can spend a few minutes considering this: the Holy Spirit, given to us by Jesus as His parting Gift, should be our constant source of strength, wisdom, hope, peace, joy, long-suffering and gentleness, all virtues needed for the common moments in our life–not just the times of great spiritual endeavor. This Spirit of Jesus dwells in us when we are at our best and when we are–not. He doesn’t wait until we are perfected to make His presence felt. He is as close to us as our own breath, and with each heartbeat we can be reminded that He is here. Now. Today. As Charles de Foucauld tells us, we should at any moment of the day look into our heart and remind ourselves that He is with us, living our life, making Jesus present, leading us along the path to holiness, helping us make the hundred choices we are called upon to make in the course of a day. 

Let us pray:

Dear Mother Mary, lift me from the busyness of this day to the quiet of the place where God dwells. Remind me to call upon the Spirit of Jesus when I am uncertain, frightened or uneasy about any aspect of my life. Carry me in your embrace that my feet may not wander on paths other than those which lead to holiness. I trust that you are preparing my heart and my soul to receive the Holy Spirit with eagerness and joy. Empty me by Grace that He may fill me. Make me a new creation by the power and tenderness of the Holy Spirit, in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Be hopeful!  In just a few days….