Holy Spirit
Question:
How do we know when we receive the Holy Spirit
Answer:
My brothers and I discovered something as we got older. There’s a little bit of dad in us. Each time we catch ourselves using one of his gestures, expressions, or comments about a meal, we say, “I’m getting more like Dad!” Many laughs and good-natured kidding have come out of it. Mom loves it, and so does Dad, although I doubt he’d admit it!
When we are confirmed, we receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. There is no radical change in us that makes us seem suddenly different. Over a period of time, we come to see that there is a little bit of the Spirit in us. We catch ourselves using the gifts, and often end up wondering where a bit of wisdom came from, or why we were so patient, or we feel an intensity in our prayer. Perhaps we felt drawn to deepen our spiritual life or found courage in witnessing to our faith. That’s when we know we have received the Holy Spirit. We take on his image. Yes, we grow in age, grace, and wisdom, but we also grow in our awareness and understanding of the working of God in our life. We become more godlike, realizing we’re getting more and more like God. Our thoughts, words and actions carry that quality, and others too, see it in us. You might call it holiness. But be confident! There’s a little bit of him in all of us.
©LPi