The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity. The love that springs forth between the Father and the Son, Jesus Christ, is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit rules, sanctifies and animates creation and “is God, consubstantial with the Father and the Son” (CCC, 703). To reiterate, the Holy Spirit is God—just as much as the Father and the Son are God.
The Holy Spirit has many names: The Advocate, the Paraclete, the Spirit of truth, the Spirit of the Lord, etc. The focus of this post addresses Him as “Spirit of truth”.
First: How Do We Receive the Holy Spirit?
We receive the Holy Spirit at our Baptism and in Confirmation (and in Holy Orders for those becoming priests). In these Sacraments, the Holy Spirit fixes an indelible, permanent seal upon our souls. [When Christ is baptized, too, the Holy Spirit comes down upon him, in the form of a dove, and remains with him (Mt 3:16).] Provided one stays “faithful to the demands of his Baptism,” he/she can die in expectant faith of everlasting life with God because of this seal (CCC, 1274).
Second: How Does the Spirit Help Us?
In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit is present in the prophets sent by God. God breathes his Word to his people through the prophets. In the New Testament, Christ tells us he will send an Advocate to us once he ascends into Heaven. This Advocate, says he, is “the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father. . [who] will testify on my behalf” (Jn 15:26).
Jesus further says:
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
John 16:13-14
The Church “invites us to call upon the Holy Spirit every day, especially at the beginning and the end of every important action” (CCC, 2670). This means calling upon the Holy Spirit regularly throughout our day to aid us with guidance and direction. Inviting the Spirit of truth into our day is the surest way of helping to discern truth from falsehood and in choosing right paths.
Third: Why is Truth Important?
St. Thomas Aquinas teaches that, “Men could not live with one another if there were not mutual confidence that they were being truthful to one another.” Truth, as a virtue, is revealed by uprightness in words and deeds and by guarding against any “duplicity, dissimulation, and hypocrisy” (CCC, 2468).
Man, naturally, tends towards truth, says the Church. We are also morally bound “to seek the truth, especially religious truth” and to direct our “whole lives in accordance with” it (CCC, 2467). For Jesus says, “I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness” (Jn 12:46).
Fourth: Truth and Holiness
The Holy Spirit, “the source of all truth,” is present in God’s Word, in His Law, and in His faithfulness throughout all generations (CCC, 2465). As disciples of Christ and people of God we are called to seek the truth, speak the truth, and live according to the truth. As said, this truth is revealed via His Word and the teachings of His Church. The Holy Spirit is one’s greatest prayer partner. He is our greatest Advocate and ally. We need to remember to call upon Him everyday to lead, guard and guide us. By doing so, we can trust His breath to penetrate our minds and hearts leading to greater discovery of His revealed truth and encouraging our growth in holiness .
