Come Holy Spirit Series
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Come Holy Spirit |
Come Holy Spirit – The Spirit of Grace
1. Scriptural Foundations
The title Spirit of Grace
is drawn from Hebrews 10:29, where we read:
“How much worse punishment do
you think will be deserved by the one who has spurned the Son of God… and has
outraged the Spirit of grace?” (Heb 10:29, ESV)
This passage reveals not only the
name but also the gravity of resisting the work of the Holy Spirit. To
"outrage" or insult the Spirit of Grace is to reject the very
love, mercy, and salvific gift extended to us through Christ. It highlights the
Holy Spirit as the mediator and dispenser of divine grace, constantly at work
to draw us deeper into communion with the Father through the Son.
2. What is Grace?
Grace is often described as God’s
undeserved favour—a divine help freely given. The Catechism of the Catholic
Church puts it this way:
“Grace is favour, the free and
undeserved help that God gives us to respond to his call...” (CCC §1996)
The Spirit of Grace, then, is the
active person of the Trinity who administers this gift in our lives. Every time
we are moved to repentance, every time we rise from sin, every time we are
strengthened in prayer, comforted in sorrow, or inspired to serve—it is the Spirit
of Grace who is gently but powerfully at work.
3. The Spirit of Grace in the
Life of Jesus
The Gospels show Jesus as “full
of grace and truth” (John 1:14), and it is the Holy Spirit who anointed Him at
His baptism (Luke 3:22). That same Spirit who empowered Jesus’ public ministry
is now poured into our hearts (Romans 5:5) to form us in His likeness.
Thus, the Spirit of Grace:
Sanctifies us through the sacraments
Convicts us of sin (John 16:8)
Sustains us with strength beyond our own (2 Corinthians 12:9)
4. Grace and Transformation
The Spirit of Grace is not merely
a concept—it is a life-changing force. St. Paul wrote:
“By the grace of God I am what
I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:10)
This is not passive grace.
The Holy Spirit is constantly inviting us to:
Grow in holiness
Persevere in faith
The more we surrender, the more
grace is able to accomplish what we could never do on our own.
5. Living in the Spirit of
Grace
To live in the Spirit of Grace
means:
- Being aware of God's constant initiative in our lives
- Remaining humble, knowing we can do nothing without Him
- Saying yes to the movements of the Spirit—no matter how small
- Approaching the sacraments, especially Reconciliation and the Eucharist, as channels of grace
It also means being gracious to
others. If the Spirit of Grace dwells in us, then mercy, patience, and
forgiveness should flow from us to those around us.
6. Come Holy Spirit – Prayer
to the Spirit of Grace
Come, Holy Spirit,
Spirit of Grace.
Soften the hardness of our hearts.
Stir in us the courage to receive the grace You give so freely.
Help us to recognise Your movement in our daily lives—
in whispers, in nudges, in invitations to love.
May we never reject or ignore the grace that draws us back to the Father’s
heart.
Make us instruments of grace to others.
In our words, our silence, our presence—
may Your grace overflow.
Amen.
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