The Unknown God: Nine Steps to Pentecost

Day Four

St. Paul writing his Epistle to the Ephesians while he was in prison. Image uploaded to Flickr by Patrick Grey. CC BY 2.0

Let’s learn to know the Holy Spirit better during these nine days before Pentecost. Here is the fourth step.

Today let’s have St. Paul give us a little lesson to see how well we are living in and with the Holy Spirit. We’ll use the Letter to the Ephesians as our study guide.

St. Paul tells us that there is only one body and one Spirit. Do you recognize the following signs of the Spirit in your life?

First of all, ask yourself: Am I at peace? Do I have peace in my heart?

Next, are you living in peace with others? Do you realize what your destiny is? “In him, you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:22)

Do you know what grieves the Holy Spirit? Bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, reviling, and malice — any sins against peace and unity. On the other hand, what pleases him? “Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.” (Ephesians 4:32)

What is the power of the Holy Spirit? Love.

What mystery has the Holy Spirit revealed? That we are co-heirs, co-partners, and members of the same body.

What does a life look like that is full of the Spirit? Singing and playing before God, giving thanks for everything, having the word of God in your heart, praying with the Holy Spirit, a life of peace, joy, and love.

This is our joy and our challenge. Ask the Holy Spirit for forgiveness if you have grieved him and ask for his grace to strengthen you so that you can fulfill his plan for your life.

The fourth day of a novena to the Holy Spirit:

Do not drive me from before your face, nor take from me your Holy Spirit. Restore to me the gladness of your salvation; uphold me with a willing spirit. (Psalm 51:13-14)

Come, Holy Spirit, and fill us with your peace, joy, and love that we may be built into a dwelling pleasing to you. Amen.