St. Basil the Great (329-379), one of the Early Church Fathers who lived in the Cappadocian Region (which today is central Turkey), defined for the Christian Church the theology of the Holy Spirit. Take a moment now to consider what he writes in Chapter 9, No. 23, in On the Holy Spirit*, about how the Third Person of the Trinity changes the Baptized and Chrismated. First, the Holy Spirit consoles, lifts up, and illuminates. Second, He provides us with supernatural spiritual gifts.
"Through His aid hearts are lifted up, the weak are held by the hand, and they who are advancing are brought to perfection. Shining upon those that are cleansed from every spot, He makes them spiritual by fellowship with Himself. Just as when a sunbeam falls on bright and transparent bodies, they themselves become brilliant too, and shed forth a fresh brightness from themselves, so souls wherein the Spirit dwells, illuminated by the Spirit, themselves become spiritual, and send forth their grace to others.
"Hence comes foreknowledge of the future, understanding of mysteries, apprehension of what is hidden, distribution of good gifts, the heavenly citizenship, a place in the chorus of angels, joy without end, abiding in God, the being made like to God, and, highest of all, the being made God. Such, then, to instance a few out of many, are the conceptions concerning the Holy Spirit, which we have been taught to hold concerning His greatness, His dignity, and His operations, by the oracles of the Spirit themselves."
God, as Holy Spirit, is with us every single day. Make recourse to Him. Show Him your love, worship, and gratitude. Reorient your life toward His presence now. To aid you, pray this Prayer of the Holy Spirit: "Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, present in all places and filling all things; Treasury of Goodness and Giver of Life, come, abide in us, cleanse us from all stain of sin, and save our souls, O Good One."
* Translated by Blomfield Jackson. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 8. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1895.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3203.htm>.
