Theological Foundations new file

95 CHAPTER THREE THE ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN CHRISTIAN FORMATION The two authors whose work is under discussion in this book tie their teaching on Christian moral formation with the role played by the Holy Spirit in the sanctification of man. For this reason they devote a lot of attention to the place that the Third Person of the Holy Trinity occupies in the Christian life. They begin with the truth about Christ sending the Spirit as Comforter and follow up with the discussion of the role He plays in the development of spiritual life. The Holy Spirit works in us through His presence and, in particular, through the bestowal of His sev- enfold gifts. 1. The Coming of the Spirit as Comforter The starting point of Father Papczynski’s attempt to bring the truth about the sending of the Holy Spirit closer to the reader is Christ’s con- versation with His disciples, in which He prepared them for the moment when they would have to part. In order to make this experience easier for them, Jesus pointed to the great significance of this moment: “It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Counsellor will not come to you” (Jn 16, 7). The Venerable Servant of God praises Jesus’ foresight, His concern and goodness. Jesus knows that His depar- ture will be a cause of sadness for the disciples, so He promises to send the Spirit as Comforter to them. The disciples must be deprived of Jesus’ visible presence if the Comforter is to come to them. It turned out later that His leaving was important for them because, after the descent of the Holy Spirit, a great spiritual change took place in them. Its result was the gift of tongues, the ability to understand the Scriptures and invincible