Just what, or more properly, who is the Holy Spirit? For some, he is only the third member of the Trinity. For others he is some sort of power who gets people to do strange things. What do we believe about this one we call the Holy Spirit? He is our comforter, our advocate, one who stands up for us. We all need this at times. None of us is able to carry joyfully the burdens of life. We tend to exaggerate our problems and our sorrows. Sometimes we can even be convinced that we are carrying the weight of the world on our shoulders.

The Holy Sprit aids us in seeing the joy of following the Lord and taking His burdens upon our shoulders rather than our own. St. Francis writes in his rule for the brothers, "And all the friars, no matter where they are or in whatever situation they find themselves, should, like spiritually minded men, diligently show reverence and honor to one another without murmuring. They should let it be seen that they are happy in God, cheerful and courteous, as is expected of them, and be careful not to appear too gloomy or depressed like hypocrites" (The Rule of 1221).

Spiritual joy enables us to put into practice three degrees of humility described by Father Olier: first - to be able to rejoice in the knowledge of our own faults and shortcomings, not trying to cover them up or justify them in our minds, etc.; second - a desire to want our faults and shortcomings [in general uselessness] to be known by others following the example of St. Francis; third - the highest degree of humility is to desire to be treated as useless, to desire humiliation for the sake of Jesus.

A key element in these degrees is that of desire. The saints who possessed these qualities were often widely praised and accepted. This desire kept them from pride and losing their humility and brought them closer to Jesus.

"When the work which the Father gave the Son to do on earth(cf. Jn. 17:4) was accomplished, the Holy Spirit was sent on the day of Pentecost in order that he might continually sanctify the Church... The holy People of God shares also in Christ's prophetic office: it spreads a living witness to him especially by a life of faith and love and by offering to God a sacrifice of praise... he [the Holy Spirit] distributes special gifts among the faithful of every rank. ... Whether these charisms be very remarkable or more simple and widely diffused, they are to be received with thanksgiving and consolation since they are fitting and useful for the needs of the church" (Lumen Gentium 4 & 12, emphasis added).

ONLY when we are truly humble will the Holy Spirit be able to dwell within us and work his wonders in our lives. Let us pray for a truly humble heart, mind, and soul. This Pentecost, let us not be afraid to allow the Holy Spirit to enter us at an even deeper level, and do with us what He wants done, even if He decides to bestow an extraordinary gift.

If you're wondering why God might do this for you, His answer is, "Why not you?"