Holy Ghost, the Comforter, have mercy on us.
In John 14:26, Jesus calls the Holy Spirit the Paraclete, from the Greek word paraklētos, which can be translated Helper, Counselor, Intercessor, Advocate, or even Comforter. The Holy Spirit, as we have seen, prays within us. He helps us recall and understand what Jesus has taught. He advocates for us with His great love (for He is Love). And all of this should bring us great comfort. God loves us so much as to dwell within us, guiding us closer and closer to Him and filling us with His great gifts.
Holy Ghost, the Sanctifier, have mercy on us.
Only God can make us holy. We must cooperate, of course. We must turn our minds and hearts and souls and bodies over to Him so that He can sanctify them. We are temples of the Holy Spirit, consecrated, set aside, for Him and for His purposes.
Holy Ghost, Who governest the Church, have mercy on us.
Many saints and scholars have said that the Holy Spirit is the soul of the Church, the Body of Christ. On the first Pentecost, which is often called the birthday of the Church, the Holy Spirit descended upon the followers of Jesus gathered in the upper room. With a noise like a great driving wind and tongues as of fire, the Spirit entered into those frightened, timid people and changed them from the inside out.
The apostles, led by Peter, left that upper room, now on fire to preach the Gospel. Peter delivered his first sermon right then and there, speaking to the thousands of Jews who had gathered for the festival. He was not longer afraid, no longer timid. He spoke with great force and conviction, and over three thousand people received Baptism that day.
Jesus tells us not to be anxious when we are questioned about our faith, even by “the rulers and the authorities,” for “the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say” (Luke 12:11-12). We must get out of the way and allow the Holy Spirit to work in us personally and to govern the Church. That’s His job.
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