This is the time of year that we hear a lot about spirits. The several days that we are in are technically called Hallowtide. The first of these three days is Halloween, a shortened name for what was originally All Hallow’s Eve, a night of ghosts and goblins that roam the earth before All Saint’s Day, that is celebrated on November 1st. Then, Hallowtide is completed on November 2nd when some countries and different Christian denominations celebrate All Soul’s Day.
In many churches around the country, and different regions of the world, All Saint’s Day is a day of remembrance for all those family members and loved ones who have passed away during the prior year and are now in heaven. The mood is one of joy, celebration and triumph, honoring those, including the canonized saints, who have attained the ultimate reward of residing with God eternally in heaven. While not all denominations celebrate All Saint’s Day, Catholic, Methodist, Anglican and Lutheran churches all participate in remembrance events to varying degrees. In fact, our family name, Toussaint, means “all saints” and in France, November 1st is known as Toussaint’s Day (or La Toussaint). In the Catholic Church, All Saint’s Day is considered a Day of Obligation, meaning that members of the church are expected to attend Mass.
November 2nd, All Soul’s Day, is a little different day of honor. In some denominations, it celebrates all the dearly departed who may not have yet attained a heavenly reward and are still being purified in purgatory. Unlike November 1st, it is not a holy Day of Obligation in the Catholic Church, but many churches do hold special masses. The tone of the day is one of prayer, reflection and remembrance. Families visit cemeteries, clean graves, light candles, leave flowers and offer prayers for the departed.
Both of these days of prayer and reflection are filled with spirits and elements of the unknown. And I hope that it goes without saying that different religions place different emphasis on the importance of these days, such as whether or not purgatory is a part of the religious beliefs.
Additionally, throughout history, this time of year tends to attract those who are “spiritual” but not necessarily religious. For example, Houdini, the famous magician, was into the occult and attended seances. He went so far as to implore his wife to continue to contact him after his death and Houdini never gave up hope of contacting his mother beyond the grave after her death. Yesterday marked the 100th anniversary of his death!
While all these comparisons of denominational differences are interesting, there is usually a lack of discussion surrounding the Holy Spirit. During my years of pastoral work, it is evident that it is much easier to try and understand God the Father or Jesus, His Son, but folks are perplexed when it comes to the Holy Spirit. In the hundreds of weddings that I have conducted, I have had more questions about the presence of the Holy Spirit than any other element of wedding services.
I believe that people just don’t have the same comfort with the idea of the Holy Spirit. But I think God had a plan from the beginning to reveal more of Himself and the Godhead to us as we grew closer to Him. In the Old Testament, God led the Jewish people through their trip to the Promised Land. Then, God eventually chose to reveal more of the Trinity to us by introducing us to His son, Jesus, who came to earth in human form while retaining His divinity. Fully God, yet fully Man. Personally, I think that God sent us Jesus as a model of behavior that He wanted us to follow for those who believe in God.
Remembering that God the Father is a spirit, Jesus came in bodily form, giving us a better model to emulate. So God the Father is “above” us, Jesus, the Son, walked “among us” – but God wasn’t done yet. He then decided to send another part of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, to live “within” each of us. And that’s where it becomes complicated for some people – to believe that they are indwelt by a part of the Godhead.
This difficulty with understanding the Godhead goes back in time, all the way back to the Constantinople Creed in 387 A.D. which was convened to determine what the Holy Spirit really was. Even the Apostle’s Creed has little to say about the Holy Spirit. We are told in the Creed, “I believe in God the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord…” When we get to the part of the Creed that references the Holy Spirit, we are told, “I believe in the Holy Spirit.” There is no description or enlightenment at all.
It’s important to understand that the Father sent the Holy Spirit to encourage us, remind us of the teachings of Jesus and as a comforter in times of need. When we are so distraught that we don’t know what to pray for, the Holy Spirit prays on our behalf. And throughout the ages, the ministries of the Holy Spirit change. That is one of the things that makes it so difficult to understand. Suffice it to say that the Holy Spirit resides in the “naos” or inner temple of believers.
Our verse for tonight is from the Gospel of John. John tells us the words of Jesus in John 14:15-17, “If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”
My encouragement this evening is that God wants us to spend time with and get to know the Holy Spirit who lives within each believer. My prayer is that while most of us enjoy Halloween, and the several other days of Hallowtide, we must always keep the Holy Spirit close to us as we endeavor to become more like Jesus. The Spirit will be with us through all eternity, silently guiding us and lighting our path. Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…