MEDITATIONS ON CHRISTIAN DOGMA.TREATISE II. 15. JESUS CHRIST AND THE HOLY GHOST.
MATERNITY OF THE BVM
TREATISE II.
15. JESUS CHRIST AND THE HOLY GHOST.
I. Jesus Christ, as man, was abundantly glorified by the
Holy Ghost, who was poured out upon Him in infinite
measure. Of old the Holy Spirit had inspired the prophets
who foretold Our Lord s coming : He effected the mystery
of the Incarnation in His chaste Spouse, the Blessed Virgin
Mary ; He guided the Sacred Humanity, as when He led
Our Lord into the desert and descended on Him in the form
of a dove. Jesus Christ declares part of the function of
the Holy Ghost where He says, "He shall glorify Me"
(John xvi. 14). And this the Holy Spirit does, demonstrating by miracles that Jesus is indeed the Son of God, and
moving men by inspirations of grace to believe in Him. In
return Our Lord glorified the Holy Ghost, revealing Him to
mankind in the august mystery of the Holy Trinity, communicating Him to the Apostles and the Church, speaking
of Him with profound respect, teaching men their duties
towards the Spirit of God and the enormity of sinning against
Him. You should imitate Our Lord in this. Contemplate
the qualities of the Holy Ghost, the modes of His manifestations to us, the functions appropriated to Him in the
external operations of the Trinity both in the natural and
in the supernatural orders ; and from all this conceive a
special veneration and love for Him.
II. Proceeding to particulars, we find Our Lord applying
terms of respect and titles of honour to the Holy Ghost.
In the Old Testament He says : " Come over to Me, all ye
that desire Me, and be filled with My fruits ; for My spirit
is sweet above honey " (Eccfi. xxiv. 26, 27). To the woman
of Samaria He speaks of the Holy Ghost as the " Gift of
God," and says that this will be " a fountain of water
springing up unto life everlasting" (John iv. 10, 14). Again He
tells the Apostles of the great effects which will be wrought
by the Holy Spirit. " When the Paraclete cometh, whom
I will send you from My Father, the Spirit of Truth who
proceedeth from the Father, He will give testimony of Me"
(John xv. 26). And instructing them as to their speech
before their persecutors He says : " It is not you that speak,
but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh in you " (Matt.
x. 20). Our Lord further magnifies the Holy Ghost above
Himself, and values His honour even more than His own.
"Whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of Man, it
shall be forgiven him : but he that shall speak against the
Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him either in this world
or in the world to come " (Matt. xii. 32). Be careful not to
commit the dangerous sin of resisting the Holy Ghost, and
His inspirations to action or suggestions of truth. Beware
of self-will and obstinacy in sin, lest they lead you to final
impenitence.
III. Our Lord further magnifies the Holy Ghost by
sending Him on the Apostles and the Church to complete
His own work of Redemption. He says that the Holy Ghost
was necessary for their work, and they were not to venture
to begin it until He endued them with His power from on
high (Luke xxiv. 49). The Holy Ghost is the great treasure
of the Church, His presence will confer upon it an indestructible life, and that presence will never be withdrawn.
Our Lord seems to imply that the presence of the Holy
Ghost is more to the Apostles than His own. " It is expedient for you that I go : for if I go not the Paraclete will
not come to you ; but if I go I will send Him to you " (John
xvi. 7). That which the Holy Ghost is to the Church, the
same He is to you. In the words of the sacred liturgy He
will be to you rest in labour, coolness in the heat, consoler
in anguish, strength in conflict, sweetest refreshment, and
most blessed light.
MEDITATIONS ON CHRISTIAN DOGMA BY THE RIGHT REV. JAMES BELLORD, D.D
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