FORMATION
FORMATION 1998
THEME NO.2
"Titles of the Holy
Spirit"
1. Formation Prayer
(To be recited by all present).
In the name of the Father …
Heavenly Father, as we commence this
session of the Formation Programme, help us to believe you are near to us and that you
care for each of us every day of our lives. Send the Holy Spirit to be our helper and our
guide, enlightening our minds, giving us the grace to serve you with generous hearts and
inspiring us to stand firm as Christians in your love. We ask this through Christ our
Lord. Amen.
2. Scripture Reading - John
14:15-17
(Read by the discussion leader or
member nominated by him.)
If you love me, you will keep my
commandments. And I will ask the Father and he will give you another Advocate, to be with
you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it
neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you and he will be in
you.
3. The Message
(Read by the discussion leader or the
member nominated by him.)
Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit whom he
calls the Paraclete. This Greek word has several meanings. Here we might use Helper. The
Spirit helps believers and inspires their prayer so that it may be heard. Another meaning
of the word is Interpreter. The Spirit helps us to understand and interpret Jesus’
words throughout all time. The literal meaning of the word is "he who is called to
one’s side", an advocate. Paraclete is commonly translated by
"consoler", and Jesus is the first consoler. Jesus also called the Holy Spirit
"the Spirit of truth" (John 16:13). In the Acts of the Apostles and the Letters
of Saint Paul, he refers to the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of promise, the Spirit of
adoption, the Spirit of Christ, the Spirit of the Lord and the Spirit of God. It may also
be noted that the term "Spirit" translates the Hebrew word ruah which means
breath, air, wind. The breath enables the Word to be spoken. This pair, breath/word is an
image of the working of the Holy Spirit and Christ, the Word. Another very powerful image
of the Holy Spirit as well of Jesus Christ, is that of the hands of the Father. It is by
means of these two hands that the Father does his work.
4. The Exercise
(Five minutes of reflection by all
members.)
Why is the term "Friend" a very
good title for the Holy Spirit?
How do the ideas of "breath",
"breeze", "wind" help us to understand the work of the Holy Spirit?
Why does the Church use the idea of the
placing of the hand on the head to convey the presence and the action of the Holy Spirit?
5. The Sharing
(Members share aspects of their
personal faith and its place in their lives that have come to them through the Exercise.)
6. The Word
(The basis of meditation and reflection
for the ensuing month given by the discussion leader.)
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me" (Luke 4:14).
7. Closing Prayer
(Recited by all members.)
Holy Spirit, Lord of light, From the clear
celestial height Thy pure beaming radiance give.
Come, thou Father of the poor, Come with treasures which endure; Come, thou light of all
that live!
Thou, of all consolers best, Thou, the soul’s delightful guest, Dost refreshing peace
bestow;
Thou in toil art comfort sweet; Pleasant coolness in the heat; Solace in the mist of woe.
(Sequence for the Feast of Pentecost)
