Aspects of God

[hansard]

(I couldn’t find a recent thread on this. I hope it’s not repetitive of recent material, and I apologise for the rambling nature of the post)

If Jesus was fully God and fully human at the same time, it follows that our connection with God hinges largely on the person of Jesus.

I have always felt that the “Father” and “Holy Spirit” aspects of God are somewhat remote from true human experience. Sure, the Spirit is all around and operates constantly in people’s lives, but the Spirit was never human and neither was the Father. Could God have known what humanity was like until he experienced it in the flesh?
So, by my limited reasoning, the Son is the necessary link to the other two “parts” of God. He therefore remains a unique figure in heaven, due to his “field research” on earth.
The Father and the Spirit do not have, and never will have, actual human experience.

And, on the subject of the Holy Spirit, it often seems as if he has a lesser status in people’s consciousness. People are far more likely to have a devotion to Mary or another, particular saint than to the Spirit. Prayers are devoted to God the Father and to Jesus, but not so often specifically to the Spirit. The Spirit hardly rates a mention in the standard Mass service. He does feature prominently, I must note, in charismatic and spiritual gatherings (interestingly, youth gatherings seem to mention the Spirit a lot more).

For example, I work in a Catholic high school, and I honestly can’t recall a prayer being offered specifically to the Holy Spirit. We pray every day to the Father and to Jesus, even to various saints, but rarely to the HS.

One more point about Jesus and the Spirit: I was taught that Jesus is in heaven now and has been for some years, still in his human/god form, although glorified. He is awaiting his return. Is that right? His divinity is revealed at every eucharist, but I recall reading that this miracle is achieved by the Holy Spirit, not by Jesus coming back from heaven on every occasion. Indeed, all his earthly miracles were done by the power of the Spirit, right? In that case, it seems like the Spirit is the only “part” of God that actually operates on earth at the moment.

Anyway, feel free to shoot me down on any or all of the above, to have a reasonable discussion, or even to humour me with polite condescension.

Thanks

 

[06convert]

It is true that we would not see God the same as we do without Jesus. Jesus changed the game, He made for us the new convenant.

I have always felt that the “Father” and “Holy Spirit” aspects of God are somewhat remote from true human experience. Sure, the Spirit is all around and operates constantly in people’s lives, but the Spirit was never human and neither was the Father. Could God have known what humanity was like until he experienced it in the flesh?
So, by my limited reasoning, the Son is the necessary link to the other two “parts” of God. He therefore remains a unique figure in heaven, due to his “field research” on earth.
The Father and the Spirit do not have, and never will have, actual human experience.

Don’t try to seperate God by His instances. God reveals himself to us in 3 forms. To us the 3 forms appear seperate, but in no way are they seperate. It “seems” to us that Jesus was the only form that was human, but really, the God (father, son, and spirit) were all fully human. God didn’t become man to do “research” He became man to redeem us.

And, on the subject of the Holy Spirit, it often seems as if he has a lesser status in people’s consciousness

Sadly this is true. There is no reason that we should leave the holy spirit out of our prayers. Although at mass there are many prayers to the Holy Spirit. “Lord send your spirit upon these gifts to make them holy”.

I was taught that Jesus is in heaven now and has been for some years, still in his human/god form, although glorified. He is awaiting his return. Is that right? .

This is all in the creed man! He (Jesus) ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. God knows when He will come again. I wouldn’t picture him sitting there waiting to pounce.

His divinity is revealed at every eucharist, but I recall reading that this miracle is achieved by the Holy Spirit, not by Jesus coming back from heaven on every occasion. Indeed, all his earthly miracles were done by the power of the Spirit, right? In that case, it seems like the Spirit is the only “part” of God that actually operates on earth at the moment

During the mass the priest says the prayer. “Lord send your spirit upon these gifts to make them holy”. Again, don’t seperate God into 3 different people. God may be sending His spirit, but He is really sending His entire being (father, son, and spirit) upon the gifts. The spirit is not the only part working on earth. If God is present in any form (father, son, or spirit) He is present in His entirety. Don’t forget that God isn’t just here in spirit, He is here in flesh and blood in the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus. His body gives you nourishment. This is more than just the spirit at work.

I recall reading that this miracle is achieved by the Holy Spirit, not by Jesus coming back from heaven on every occasion.

On other note to this effect. Jesus died once and for all. The mass isn’t a recreation or a redo of the sacrifice. The power of the mass allows you to witness the one true sacrifice of Jesus. The laws of time are erased. It seems to us like we are experiencing it over and over. But there is only 1 occassion and we experience that 1 occasion everytime we go to mass. If that makes sense… .