Experiments in Catholicism: Holy Spirit, You are welcome here

My friends and family often ask me, “Where do you come up with your ideas for columns?” and, to a point, I have that same question!

Although I have ideas, I write down my random thoughts on my notes app or in notebooks; I spend a lot of time staring at the blinking cursor on my laptop. To a writer, nothing is worse than a blank document and a blinking cursor. It almost exists to taunt me, blinking but not moving, saying, “Ha! You wish you could come up with something remotely interesting!”

Sometimes, I think I have a solid idea only to sit down and type a few lines, only for the idea to quickly dry up, and again, I’m staring at my old antagonist, the blinking cursor.

Other times, I’m thinking of talking about a complicated topic, only to get hit with a wave of imposter syndrome. So many people read this column, and I’m not even a trained theological scholar, more of a DIY theologian. Who gave me permission to say what I’m saying?

The answer lies with the third, often forgotten person of the Trinity — the Holy Spirit. Although we reference the Holy Spirit in prayers — when we bless ourselves, “in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” or in the creed “I believe in the Holy Spirit …,” we often don’t call upon it in our daily lives nearly enough.

First, although we might be tempted to refer to the Spirit as a “what,” the more appropriate question is “Who is the Holy Spirit?” The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity.  

God created everything we are, as humans. However, if you read only a few chapters into the book of Genesis, we almost immediately stray from His perfect vision for us. To redeem mankind for our actions, He sent his only Son, Jesus, to redeem us. So why do we need a third person if we are saved? As a result of the fall of man, sin still exists in the world, and humans still need help. Enter the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit sanctifies us—helping us become holy and attuned to the will of God. He guides us to follow what the Lord has laid out for us.

Before I start writing any column, I take a moment of quiet and pray, “Holy Spirit, You are welcome here.” When I ask the Spirit to guide my work, I acknowledge that I am fully surrendering to the will of the Lord while I am writing. I want the Lord to fully use me to convey His message.

When we follow the Spirit, we can accomplish so much more for God than if we did it on our own. Imagine St. Joan of Arc leading an army without the Holy Spirit on her side. Or if St. Therese of Lisieux never asked the Holy Spirit to help control her temper. Or even if Mary, the Mother of God, said no to the angel Gabriel. Sure, in those situations, those young women probably felt a little out of their depth. However, after moments of surrender and coming into agreement with the Spirit, the Spirit was able to guide them.

I’m not putting myself on equal footing with any of those great saints; however, it’s the same Spirit that worked in them that is at work in me when I write. I’ve been able to write about topics I’ve been intimidated by or be vulnerable with the stories I share. If I just took on this project totally on my own, I would have stumbled and fallen so many more times by now. Even when the path is tough, I am assured I am following the right one.

In a world where we sometimes feel like walking in faith looks like a rocky, unbalanced path, the Spirit serves as our Guide to find the path the Lord wants us to follow. Even if that path ends up being the harder one, with the Spirit by our side, we have nothing to fear.

Experiment of the week: Where do you need the Holy Spirit to guide you in your life? Try asking the Spirit to help you with something that feels a little intimidating by praying, “Come, Holy Spirit.”