What is the Holy Spirit like?

[Michie]

Sunday, May 19, is Pentecost Sunday, and the Mass readings — Acts 2:1-11; Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-31, 34; 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13; and John 20:19-23 — present a number of symbols of the Holy Spirit: strong, driving wind; tongues of fire; races united; and breath of Jesus on the apostles.

The Holy Spirit is like a strong driving wind, because the Holy Spirit has a clear direction and wants to take everyone there with it. A wind is an unseen force that refreshes; so is the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is a tongue of fire; not a wildfire that destroys, not a stationary fire that we have to huddle next to, but a fire bestowed on us, which transforms what it touches.

The Holy Spirit unites people and breaks down barriers. When St. Peter speaks after receiving the Holy Spirit, he speaks with boldness, decisiveness, but also attractiveness, drawing many to the faith. He doesn’t condemn, insult, and disperse the people because of their weakness; he challenges them and calls them to greatness, each in his or her own language.

Continued below.

What is the Holy Spirit like?

A user’s guide to understanding the Holy Spirit as the Church celebrates Pentecost.

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[fide]

I'm sorry (not really) to be an irritant in a Good News Only Evangelist's Conference, but grace brings the strong word first, repent.
"Repent and believe the Gospel! You are dead in your servitude to lies and your love of self - repent!
Believe in the One who died in love for you on a rough rack of torture, the Cross, assuring you to take up your cross - and follow Him!
Believe in the One who came not to gather but first to divide:

Mt 10:34 "Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.
Mt 10:35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
Mt 10:36 and a man's foes will be those of his own household.
Mt 10:37 He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;
Mt 10:38 and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
Mt 10:39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.

The Holy Spirit looks like Truth. And Love. And sacrifice and mercy and Gift. And sincere invitation to one who is sick of lies and duplicity and phony Smiley-Face Welcoming Ministers - sincere invitation to one looking for Truth, and a Love that is not for this world nor of this world, but eternal, of God.

Yes the Gospel IS good news because it is news of a Kingdom that is coming, for a gathering that is forever.