“But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go.  For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you.  But if I go, I will send him to you.” (Jn 16,7)  Come, Holy Spirit!  The Holy Spirit of God is just waiting to get into the game.  The Holy Spirit has the gifts that will bring all things to perfection.  The Holy Spirit has the power to renew the face of the earth.  The Holy Spirit has the love that makes all things new.  As Jesus ascends to the Father, the Holy Spirit is just waiting and straining to be set free and to bring new life to all of creation.  Jesus has torn the veil, he has broken down the dividing wall, he has flung open the doors and the gates and now it is the time for the Spirit to enter in and make all things new.  Through the Paschal Mystery, the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus, God has set all of creation free from the bondage of sin and death.  Through the one perfect sacrifice offered on the cross, Jesus has won the life-giving victory and vanquished Satan forever.  “Now have salvation and power come, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Anointed.  For the accuser of our brothers is cast out, who accuses them before our God day and night.” (Rev 12,10)  The Accuser has been cast out and now is the time for the Advocate to enter in and bring about the forgiveness of sins.  “And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.  Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” (Jn 20,22f)

    The Holy Spirit enters into the world as a power that will change the world.  The Holy Spirit has the power to bring new life to every person and to unlock and release the gifts that each person has been given in creation to build the kingdom of God.  “And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were.  Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.” (Acts 2,2ff)  Now the world is set on fire, purified from all sin and division and filled with the proclamation of the kingdom of God.  The breath of God carries the power of a strong and driving wind that will enter deep down into every human heart and awaken the gifts that each person has to live and proclaim the gospel.  Each person speaks the Truth with a different tongue, with a unique voice that proclaims the glory of God.  The Truth that each person has to proclaim is that “Jesus is Lord!”  “And no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.” (1Cor 12,3)  Through the gift of the Spirit, we recognize the authority of Jesus to be the Lord of our lives and to direct, guide and lead us into the kingdom of God and to bring to fulfillment all that is good.  Jesus is the authority who establishes the Way, the Truth and the Life.

    The Holy Spirit is no generic gift that is given in the same way to every person.  The Holy Spirit has unique gifts to give to every individual.  “To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.” (1Cor 12,7)  In the dispensing of the graces of new life through the Spirit, the fire of the Holy Spirit “parts” and gives to each individual special and unique gifts.  Every person has a unique value within the Body of Christ.  God the Father pours out his love in a special way into the hearts of every person.  Through the Holy Spirit, every person is a uniquely loved child of God.  “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.  For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, Abba, “Father!”  The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.” (Rom 8,14-17)  God loves all of his children in a unique way and he recognizes each person’s unique gifts.  

     The true Spirit of God is a Spirit of love.  The Spirit of God always speaks to us of the Truth of God’s love for us.  The Spirit of love that has been poured into our hearts gives us an unwavering hope.  “And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” (Rom 5,5)  “And the way that we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit that he gave us.”  This perfect love casts out all fear. (1Jn 4,18)  To know the love of God changes everything.  “All of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as from the Lord who is the Spirit.” (2Cor 3,18)  It doesn’t get any better than that!  Come, Holy Spirit!