I haven’t always reflected a great deal upon the Holy Spirit. In the past I haven’t prayed much directly to the Third Person of the Trinity. Too often, like many people, when praying the Creed at Mass I say the words quickly without much reflection: “We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets.”
A few years back, under the direction of my spiritual director, I began to think about and pray deliberately to the Holy Spirit. My director challenged me to wonder what it would be like if I were more aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence in my daily life. He encouraged me to reflect upon Scripture and see how the Holy Spirit was alive and active in the lives of Jesus, Mary, and so many others. It was inspiring to look at the way Mary was compelled by the Spirit to say “yes” to God as a pliable response to his will. Peter, Paul, and others were also compelled to live and work for the Kingdom. I even found that Jesus was, time after time, compelled by the Spirit to go off alone to pray.
As I saw how the Holy Spirit is active in the lives of the faithful, I began to trust that he wants to be real in my life, too. It excites me to look for the all the unexpected, spontaneous, and insightful actions of the Spirit. It really makes me wonder what it would be like if I truly surrendered to the Spirit!
Sister Lisa Maurer
Sister Lisa Maurer was born and raised in Sleep Eye, Minnesota. Before entering the Monastery in 2007, she taught and coached in Catholic Schools within the New Ulm Diocese. Sister Lisa Made her Perpetual Monastic Profession in July ll, 2012. Her first ministry as a Benedictine Sister was working at the parishes of St. Lawrence and St. Joseph in Duluth. Currently she is Director of Mission Integration for the Benedictine Health System.