Trinity question?

[ziapueblo]

Was asked a question and I believe it may have it’s roots with the Trinity. This Sunday being Trinity Sunday, I thought I might as well ask for some advice on how to answer this question.

A family member (non-denominational Christian) asked me, “what is it about attending Mass that satisfies you?” He wanted one answer, so I told him that it was receiving Jesus, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity, in the Eucharist. Then he asked something like, "do you not have the Holy Spirit in you when you received Jesus as your ‘personal Lord and Savior?’ " I said I received the Holy Spirit at my Baptism and Confirmation. I think he was trying to say, “how can you receive Jesus in the Eucharist when you already received the Holy Spirit?” I wanted to say that even though the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ make up 2 parts of the Trinity, they are still separate individuals. How does one go about explaining that receiving the Holy Spirit and receiving Jesus, even though they are both God, is not quite the same thing? Does that make sense? Some insight would be very helpful.

God bless,
ZP

p.s.

I hope my question makes sense

 

[SteveGC]

Start in the Catechism.

Click here for the section regarding the Holy Spirit, and His relationship to Christ.

I’d try to explain it, but everyday words to do so fail me. I’ll keep pondering it though. It’s a good question. Let me know if the CCC link helped at all. I’d be open to on-going discussion of this with you, and whomever else.

 

[Kay_Cee]

Your family member is confusing God being present spiritually with Him being present physically.

Wasn’t God present in a Bethlehem manger? If your relative believes Jesus is God, he will have to answer yes. But does that mean that since God is everywhere, that everyone is God? Well, obviously no. Just because God is present somewhere spiritually doesn’t mean He is present there physically.

At your Baptism, the Holy Spirit was present spiritually. In the Eucharist, Christ is present both spiritually and physically.