The Holy Spirit and Mary: Iconographers of the Christian soul

There are many important themes that one could explore on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, for my part, I want to turn our attention to an often forgotten element, the presence of the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:10). I don't think we talk about Him enough! He is not simply a force, bond or power, but rather a full Divine Person, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son, worthy of our worship and prayer. United with the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit is actively at work in every area of the Church's life: He acts in our sacraments, bestows the Church with her hierarchical and charismatic gifts, is the source of our life and holiness, compels us towards Christian unity, and even prays for us (Rom. 8:27). Talk about a Friend in high places!

And, I love that the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord always falls so close to the beginning of a new year because it reminds me that the Holy Spirit is always present when God is accomplishing something new and wonderful. The Holy Spirit was present at the creation of the world (Gen. 1:2), the Incarnation (Luke 1:35), the birth of the Church (Acts 2) and is intimately involved in our salvation and new creation in Christ (Rom. 8:11). His presence at the Baptism of our Lord, signified in part, that God was doing something new and exciting in the world. And now at the beginning of this new year, let's make an act of faith and hope that the Holy Spirit is going to do wonderful and marvelous things in our lives too! Let's ask for the grace to cooperate with all the Holy Spirit wishes to accomplish in us and through us.

I like to think of the Holy Spirit as the Divine Iconographer, writing the face of Christ on our souls, transforming us into living icons of Christ for a world desperately looking for Him. And, in God's economy (how the Trinity works in the world and in our lives, sharing spiritual goods), Mary is intimately united to this work, too! I love how Pope Paul VI put it in his Apostolic Exhortation, Marialis Cultus, "It is sometimes said that many spiritual writings today do not sufficiently reflect the whole doctrine concerning the Holy Spirit...Such a study will bring out in particular the hidden relationship between the Spirit of God and the Virgin of Nazareth, and show the influence they exert on the Church. From a more profound meditation on the truths of the Faith will flow a more vital piety" (MC, No. 27). As the Spouse of the Holy Spirit, and the singular soul that shaped Christ in her physical womb, she continues her maternal soul-shaping work in us, until the full measure of Christ is revealed in us (Eph 4:13). It's a triple threat to the devil when our human will cooperates with Mary's powerful intercession and the Spirit's divine work – something new and wonderful is revealed!

My new year's prayer for all of us, is that 2012 will represent a substantial and sustained transformation, a new level of appreciation and cooperation with the Holy Spirit and Our Mother. Come Holy Spirit! Welcome Blessed Mother! My soul is open for business and I, like St. Paul, am confident that the Dynamic Duo which begins this good work in us, will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Phil 1:6).

The Spousal Union between God the Holy Spirit and the Blessed Virgin Mary is one of the key themes explored in Fr. Gaitley's book, 33 Days to Morning Glory and in the Hearts Afire formation. More about this post's author Thomas Smith can be found at www.gen215.org

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