the Holy Ghost

Asry

I thought I knew this, but I had a conversation with my friend and it became apparent that I really didn't. There's a bit of a story as to how this came about so....


We were talking about drinking holy water, and I was saying I had a good bit in the house, and he suggested I drink it and find out what happens. I was convinced that would be some kind of blasphemy though and I was afraid. So we looked it up online and apparently you can drink it because it's for healing, and bestows grace on the body and soul. I've been pretty sick lately, and said a little word to God in my head for help, and drank some of the water.

Word to the wise, it tastes awful.

So then I was sitting on the couch thinking that maybe something would happen now. In the Bible people are always cured instantly. So then I thought maybe if it was going to bestow grace on me, and people that had visions in the Bible always had the grace of God, then surely I'd have a vision (yeah, there's some logic there :rolleyes:).

But THEN, I wondered if I felt full of the Holy Spirit yet, but found myself unable to say what I thought the Holy Spirit really was in words. I was trying to explain to him what I meant by 'full of the Holy Spirit' because he's atheist and always has been.

Actually, transcript:


ASRY says
ok
I'll continue talking.
I mean. The holy spirit. I think it's here to comfort and guide us and stuff.
I don't really know
but like at the same time don't only special people get the holy spirit?
I'm not special enough for visions or signs or spirits or anything
it's the part of God that's in us? I think? But most people don't know it's there or something
I really don't know. All I know is that special holy people have visions and stigmata and things and I'm not a special holy person so therefore my holy spirit must be a very tiny quiet speck somewhere that doesn't really do anything.

So, at the end of my giant context story, can someone explain all this to me? Everything I find to read about it is irritatingly vague. Thanks


(and yes, I know, I'm actually a 12 year old child inside...)

lmaopml

That's lovely Asry. I think the wisest of people don't understand the ways of the Holy Spirit sometimes....although some who are 'wise' we learn from too, and they are landmarkes as such, and not to be taken for granted on our journey. We're all children - the most important thing is that we recognise the 'speck' and that we acknowledge and understand it the best way we can with honesty, no matter and continue...with respect for our shared humanity too.

georgieporgy

Asry wrote: »

So, at the end of my giant context story, can someone explain all this to me? Everything I find to read about it is irritatingly vague. Thanks

Here's a good place to start

http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p1s2c3a8.htm

homer911

"Holy" Water wont taste any different to other water thats been physically handled in the same way. The only thing that makes it "Holy" is a priest praying over it and blessing it.

I once saw a programme on TV where once a week/month the priest would climb into the attic of the church and bless the water in the warter tank - presumably they never used more than a full tank in the intervening period (or is a bit like making whiskey, where there's always a drop of the 50 year old stuff in the barrel?)

Asry

georgieporgy wrote: »

Here's a good place to start

http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p1s2c3a8.htm

Thanks Georgie! I still don't really understand, I'm afraid. They're all saying what the Holy Spirit does, and the names of it and stuff but not really what it is. You know?

Asry

homer911 wrote: »

"Holy" Water wont taste any different to other water thats been physically handled in the same way. The only thing that makes it "Holy" is a priest praying over it and blessing it.

I once saw a programme on TV where once a week/month the priest would climb into the attic of the church and bless the water in the warter tank - presumably they never used more than a full tank in the intervening period (or is a bit like making whiskey, where there's always a drop of the 50 year old stuff in the barrel?)

That's cool Yeah, I did some reading up on Holy Water, and that's good that it's normal water that's then consecrated. Is consecrated even the right word? That way anyway there's always a chance of it being clean and everything

gimmebroadband

"Scripture teaches that the Holy Spirit serves as a Paraclete (Greek parakletos) on our behalf. This term, often translated as "Comforter," "Counselor," "Advocate," or "Helper," refers to a person who is called or summoned to aid one, especially in legal settings, where he serves as an advisor, or advocate for the accused.

Jesus repeatedly speaks of the Holy Spirit as a Paraclete whom he will send to help us: "The Advocate [parakletos], the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name-he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you" (John 14:26; cf. 15:26, 16:7-8)."

http://standrewparish.blogspot.com/2009/07/holy-spirit-third-person-of-trinity.html

georgieporgy

Asry wrote: »

Thanks Georgie! I still don't really understand, I'm afraid. They're all saying what the Holy Spirit does, and the names of it and stuff but not really what it is. You know?

Tha Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost) is a person, just like Jesus.

Some have described Jesus as God with a face. If you like that description then I think you could think of the Holy Spirit as God without a face.

Jesus entered human history at a certain time and left it after he died (+resurection, ascension etc). He sent the Holy Spirit to stay with the Church as a guide or babysitter if you will.

By baptism we become members of the christian community or church. We each individually receive the Holy Spirit into our souls at baptism. (we receive other goodies also). The Holy Spirit works within our soul to enable us to understand spiritual things. You will surely have noticed how unbaptised persons have great difficulty comprehending anything related to God or religion. The Holy Spirit is that little voice within you which you know quite clearly is very much there.

Another way of expressing it is to say the Holy Spirit dwells in your heart. He is your best friend and worth paying attention to. He is a real immaginary friend!

Asry

georgieporgy wrote: »

Tha Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost) is a person, just like Jesus.

Some have described Jesus as God with a face. If you like that description then I think you could think of the Holy Spirit as God without a face.

Jesus entered human history at a certain time and left it after he died (+resurection, ascension etc). He sent the Holy Spirit to stay with the Church as a guide or babysitter if you will.

By baptism we become members of the christian community or church. We each individually receive the Holy Spirit into our souls at baptism. (we receive other goodies also). The Holy Spirit works within our soul to enable us to understand spiritual things. You will surely have noticed how unbaptised persons have great difficulty comprehending anything related to God or religion. The Holy Spirit is that little voice within you which you know quite clearly is very much there.

Another way of expressing it is to say the Holy Spirit dwells in your heart. He is your best friend and worth paying attention to. He is a real immaginary friend!

I get things! Brilliant Thank you.

Asry

As regards the holy water and drinking it ... I feel absolutely 100% fine today. No weakness or inexplicable exhaustion. Other symptoms persist and I'm waiting for the test results but I really do feel normal again. Not to be silly or anything but was it the water? I really do think it was (privately to myself because most people would think that was really stupid and naive). Have I been healed and comforted ... ?

gimmebroadband

Asry wrote: »

As regards the holy water and drinking it ... I feel absolutely 100% fine today. No weakness or inexplicable exhaustion. Other symptoms persist and I'm waiting for the test results but I really do feel normal again. Not to be silly or anything but was it the water? I really do think it was (privately to myself because most people would think that was really stupid and naive). Have I been healed and comforted ... ?

Good to hear you're feeling better, and it was probably down your FAITH in the Holy Water that made you well!

I use it a lot and demons hate it when it is sprinkled!!