Mary was totally responsive and open to God (Lk 1:38). Thus she was able to become the “Mother of God” through the working of the Holy Spirit – and as Christ’s Mother to become also the Mother of Christians, indeed, the Mother of all mankind. [721-726] Mary made it possibleContinue Reading
Already in the Old Covenant God filled men and women with the Spirit, so that they lifted up their voices for God, spoke in his name, and prepared the people for the coming of the Messiah. [683-688, 702-720] In the Old Covenant God sought out men and women who wereContinue Reading
The Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus in the form of a dove. The first Christians experience the Holy Spirit as a healing ointment, living water, a raging storm, or a flaming fire. Jesus Christ himself speaks about the Counselor, Comforter, Teacher, and Spirit of Truth. In the sacraments of theContinue Reading
Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot understand Jesus. In his life the presence of God’s Spirit, whom we call the Holy Spirit, was manifest in a unique way. [689-691,702-731] It was the Holy Spirit who called Jesus to life in the womb of the Virgin Mary(Mt1:18), endorsed him as God’sContinue Reading
To believe in the Holy Spirit means to worship him as God just like the Father and the Son. It means to believe that the Holy Spirit comes into our hearts so that we as children of God might know our Father in heaven. Moved by God’s Spirit, we canContinue Reading
Even Christ cannot help someone who does not want to know anything about love; such a person judges himself. [678-679, 681-682] Because Jesus Christ is “the way, and the truth, and the life” (Jn 14:6), he will show what is of lasting value in God’s sight and what is not.Continue Reading
When the world comes to an end, Christ comes – for all to see [675-677] The dramatic upheavals (Lk 18:8; Mt 24:3-14) that are foretold in Sacred Scripture – the wickedness that will be plainly manifest, the trials and persecutions that will put the faith of many to the test-theseContinue Reading
Jesus Christ is Lord of the world and Lord of history because everything was made for his sake. All men were redeemed by him and will be judged by him. [668-674, 680] He is over us, and the only One to whom we bend the knee in worship; he isContinue Reading
With Jesus, one of us has arrived home with God and remains there forever. In his Son, God is close to us men in a human way. Moreover, Jesus says in the Gospel of John, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men toContinue Reading
Because death is now no longer the end of everything, joy and hope came into the world. Now that death “no longer has dominion” (Rom 6:9) over Jesus, it has no more power over us, either, who belong to Jesus. [655,658]Continue Reading
