Who is this Holy Spirit we wait for? We reflected yesterday on the “Wild Goose” image of the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth Johnson, well-known feminist theologian, also speaks about metaphors from nature which are often used to refer to the presence and action of the Holy Spirit. These include fire, water and wind.
In John’s gospel Jesus compares the Spirit to wind. We cannot see or control the wind, but we can feel it and we can see its effects. “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound but cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So, it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8).
Fire is another powerful image, that we see in the burning bush of Moses and at Pentecost when the tongues of fire appear over each of those present in the upper room. Each time the fire does not destroy (the bush is not consumed) and the fire does not harm those it rests on. It transforms and brings alive. Some believe the first act of creation was an original ball of fire –
already a kind of Pentecost.
Water is also symbolic the Spirit. We hear of the pouring out of God’s Spirit like water: “I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh.” (Acts 2:17). At the beginning of Creation, the Spirit hovers over the waters. In the story of the Samaritan woman at the well – the gift of the living water is a gift of the Spirit.
There are other amazing life-giving images to speak of the Spirit and Hildegard of Bingen, a mystic of the 12th century and doctor of the church, evokes the qualities of the Holy Spirit in these powerful words: “The Spirit is the life of the life of all creatures; the way in which everything is penetrated with connectedness and relatedness; a burning fire who sparks,
ignites, inflames, enkindles hearts, a guide in the fog, a balm for wounds, a shining serenity; an overflowing fountain that spreads to all sides. The Spirit is life, movement, colour, radiance, restorative stillness in the din. The Spirit pours the juice of contrition into hardened hearts; makes dry twigs and withered souls green again with the juice of life; purifies, absolves, strengthens, heals, gathers the perplexed, seeks the lost. The Spirit plays music in the
soul; awakens mighty hope, blowing everywhere the winds of renewal in all creation.”
How could we not long to receive this gift?
I invite you to take some time to be with some of these images – to see which resonate
most for you.
We continue to ask for the gift of the Spirit as we enter into the celebration of Pentecost this
Sunday.
