Office of Readings Tuesday before Pentecost
From the treatise
On the Holy Spirit by Saint Basil the Great, bishop
The work of the
Holy Spirit
The titles given to the Holy
Spirit must surely stir the soul of anyone who hears them and make him realize
that they speak of nothing less than the supreme Being. Is he not called the
Spirit of God, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, the steadfast
Spirit, the guiding Spirit? But his principal and most personal title is the
Holy Spirit.
To the Spirit all creatures
turn in their need for sanctification; all living things seek him according to
their ability. His breath empowers each to achieve its own natural end.
The Spirit is the source of
holiness, a spiritual light, and he offers his own light to every mind to help
it in its search for truth. By nature the Spirit is beyond the reach of our
mind, but we can know him by his goodness. The power of the Spirit fills the
whole universe, but he gives himself only to those who are worthy, acting in
each according to the measure of his faith.
Simple in himself, the Spirit
is manifold in his mighty works. The whole of his being is present to each
individual; the whole of his being is present everywhere. Though shared in by
many, he remains unchanged; his self giving is no loss to himself. Like the
sunshine, which permeates all the atmosphere, spreading over land and sea, and
yet is enjoyed by each person as though it were for him alone, so the Spirit
pours forth his grace in full measure, sufficient for all, and yet is present
as though exclusively to everyone who can receive him. To all creatures that
share in him he gives a delight limited only by their own nature, not by his
ability to give.
The Spirit raises our hearts
to heaven, guides the steps of the weak, and brings to perfection those who are
making progress. He enlightens those who have been cleansed from every stain of
sin and makes them spiritual by communion with himself.
As clear, transparent
substances become very bright when sunlight falls on them and shine with a new
radiance, so also souls in whom the Spirit dwells, and who are enlightened by
the Spirit, become spiritual themselves and a source of grace for others.
From the Spirit comes
foreknowledge of the future, understanding of the mysteries of faith, insight
into the hidden meaning of Scripture, and other special gifts. Through the
Spirit we become citizens of heaven, we enter into eternal happiness, and abide
in God. Through the Spirit we acquire a likeness to God; indeed, we attain what
is beyond our most sublime aspirations—we become God.
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