In the Unity of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is God. He unifies all things in God, and gathers together all that is good at every level. The Holy Spirit awakens faith, is the love of God poured out into our hearts, and is the source of all holiness.

The Narrow Gate to Heaven

The Holy Spirit was announced by the Archangel Gabriel to Mary, the Mother of God, and overshadowed her. This is the great connection between Heaven and Earth, and it is because of the Holy Spirit that Mary was recognized by the archangel to be filled with grace. It is the Holy Spirit that binds Mary to her Son, and binds the human race to God, the Queen of Heaven, all the angels and saints, and to each other.

It was through Jesus Himself that the Holy Spirit was sent to us, and St. Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, imparted this wisdom for the protection and salvation of mankind: “Live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:1-6).

What is so important about this is that by being gathered together in the Holy Spirit, we are being prepared in holiness to be united with God, our Father. This is the reason Jesus came down from Heaven to be with us. The mission of the Holy Spirit is to unite us to Christ, who revealed the reason why He laid down His life and ascended to the cross: “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” (John 12:32).

This great act of salvation is God’s eternal offer to unite us all in His love and to save us from the forces of evil by paying the penalty for our sins. It is the Holy Spirit that overshadowed Mary at the Annunciation, that set tongues of fire on the Apostles at Pentecost, affords us the graces and gifts to do God’s will, enables us to gather in the Church Jesus established, and unifies all people on earth and all angels and saints in Heaven to act in the service of God. In short, the Holy Spirit brings all good together in love.

The Broad Road to Destruction

Jesus also spoke of Satan and hell. “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters” (Matthew 12:30). In saying this, Jesus made it clear exactly how the devil works: he divides and scatters. Jesus defeated Satan and paid the price for our sin.

Satan’s purpose is to separate us from God and destroy us. He does this through lies, manipulation, and division. He tricks people into thinking that their sinful actions are actually not so bad, and that hell doesn’t exist because a God who is good would never send anyone to hell. This keeps people comfortably unaware of their own sinfulness and deluded into thinking they are living lives of grace. They remain ignorant of the great danger they are confronting, making them easier for Satan to destroy.

Jesus makes it clear that we must choose of our own free will. We have 2 choices: either a life devoted to holiness, or a life that shuts out the graces of the Holy Spirit because the soul is steeped in sin, and ultimately leads to hell: “No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24).

The devil does the opposite of what God does by dividing people from each other, and even within a person, creating divisions in one’s thoughts and in one’s heart, leading to their destruction: “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand” (Matthew 12:25).

The Virgin Mary herself, when she appeared at Fatima, conveyed to Sister Lucy the vision of “multitudes of souls falling into Hell – like snowflakes“.

With such a clear vision, anyone would cry to the Heavens for help!

Jesus’ Great Promise of Hope

A final warning from Jesus is also one that gives mankind hope: “Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31).

Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to take care of us. Through the Holy Spirit we have the faith that cannot fail because it comes from God the Father. When we turn away from sin and receive Jesus’ absolution, we live in God’s grace and can once again serve Him, moving into ever increasing grace and holiness (as described in We are Called to be Saints). We can then be continually strengthened in the Holy Eucharist and Blood of Christ, remembering His words to us: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid” (Matthew 14:27).