QUESTIONS FOR WHY CATHOLIC HOLY SPIRIT AND CHURCH

1. Scriptures are steeped in the Spirit—hundreds of references to the Spirit as the life-giving power of God present in our midst.

a. Three of the most prominent Biblical (especially OT) metaphors for Spirit are FIRE, WATER AND WIND. What specific attributes or activity of Spirit does each of these metaphors reveal to us?

b. In the New Testament the Spirit dwells within us, brings us to confess Jesus as Lord, teaches us to pray, impels us to mission, creates community, overcomes fear, brings us to wisdom and serves as advocate. When or how do you pray in gratitude for the gift of the Holy Spirit at work in your life?

2. To receive the Spirit is to experience in a personal way the Risen Christ. In Baptism you are a new creation in Christ. “You were called for freedom, brothers and sisters. I say to you then, live by the Spirit” -- belief not security, community not isolation, generosity not hoarding, compassion not competition, forgiveness not resentment. What new attitudes or behaviors is the Spirit of the Risen Lord pulling you toward? How or why do you resist?

3. By their fruits you will know them. Signs that someone lives by the Spirit are the fruits of the spirit: LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GENEROSITY, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS AND SELF-CONTROL. What are the fruits being harvested in your life?

4. The SPIRIT is God in outreach to the world-- sustaining, renewing and blessing. The Spirit is God present and active—in nature, in personal relationships and in the social world—especially justice and peace. Considering the news you have read or heard this past week —where do you see the Spirit transforming the world toward goodness?

5. Holiness is not what we decide to do—so much as our response to God’s gifts in the Spirit—wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge , piety and fear of the Lord. These gifts are not our possession but are meant for the life of the community. What shape of holiness do you think our world most needs now? Explain.