We often take words and terms we use for granted but all words have an origin. What does the word "spirit" come from? We are used to associating the term with the Bible, but there is no direct term for "spirit" in it, except the term “ruah”, literally meaning wind or breath. The English word “spirit” is simply a form of the Latin word, spiritus – breath.

Wind is invisible, unpredictable, it is an uncontrollable force. It can be refreshing like a summer breeze, or frightening and destructive. I remember channel crossings in rough seas, and a few bad crossings across Irish Sea. Crossings like that seem to go on forever; luckily I don’t suffer from sea sickness but it was frightening none the less.

This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday. In the readings for Mass we hear of the descent of the Holy Spirit. I invite you for a moment to put yourself in the shoes of the Apostles. This is a group of people who, despite their experience of the risen Christ, are still trying to make sense of recent events. Perhaps they are frightened, maybe they are merely waiting as Jesus told them to but for what they are not sure; perhaps they just feel lost – Jesus has left them and they don’t know what to do let alone how to go about doing it.

Then the inexplicable happens. Despite being indoors they experience wind and fire. Perhaps for a moment they are terrified, who wouldn’t be, and yet they are transformed from uncertain people without a purpose people with a vision and a mission. An unpromising group of people begin to transform the world brining the kingdom of God that bit nearer. We are their direct heirs and successors; we would simply not be here without them.

We also share the same Holy Spirit as the Apostles through baptism and confirmation. Today we hear of how the Holy Spirit breaks into the existence of the Apostles and the world. It is like the injection of a powerful medicine which has an immediate and everlasting effect.

In his letters St Paul tells us more about the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. In his letter to the Corinthians he states “do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit”. That’s an amazing statement. You and I through baptism and confirmation have God actually living within us. Each one of us is a dwelling where God truly is. Genesis tells us we are in the image and likeness of God and by the sacraments we really are – each and every one of us. The same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead can give eternal life to us too. The same Holy Spirit enables us to call God the Father, Our Father, Daddy. But the Holy Spirit does not enslave us or impose upon us; it is more the gently breeze and the warming flame, the ruah, the breath of God. By the God given gift of free will we are invited to cooperate with God’s gifts to us, including the Holy Spirit. 

It seems to me that we if we were all fully conscious of this indwelling of God within us through the Holy Spirit it would transform us inwardly; our dealings each other, and the change the world.

So remember that the Holy Spirit is actually living within you; reflect on the gifts the Holy Spirit offers – wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. Put them to use to change yourself, to help your brothers and sisters, and to bring the Lord into our suffering and desperate world.

Fr Chris