Matt Regitz: Life in the Holy Spirit

This afternoon, teens could choose to attend a workshop presented by Matt Regitz about life in the Holy Spirit. He helped show teens how they can be more open to the gifts of the Holy Spirit in their own lives, especially this weekend.

The talk fittingly began with a prayer asking for the Holy Spirit’s guidance both in the talk and in our lives. In order to receive the gifts that God wants to pour upon everyone present tonight, we must be open to receiving them. For example, as Matt explained, if you have an umbrella held up, it does not matter that water is being poured; you still will not get wet. The water is the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the umbrella is our own fear and resistance. We have to be open to what the Holy Spirit wants to give us.

It can be easy to think that the incredible gifts of the Holy Spirit seen in the New Testament are only for that age or for the great saints. Matt challenges that the Holy Spirit is God’s spirit, and He desires to pour His gifts on His Church for the benefit of all present.

Many at least know of some benefits of the Holy Spirit and what He does. What many know less of is how to get from knowing who He is to what He does. Matt gives us five steps to consider.

1. Be Open to the Holy Spirit

Much like closing an umbrella, we must be open to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to change our hearts, even if that makes us uncomfortable.

2. Pray for Gifts of the Holy Spirit

As in any part of our spiritual life, prayer will always be critical. The Holy Spirit is God, and we should courageously pray that He will send an overflowing of graces into our lives.

3. Communal Worship

Just as the Apostles did so many years ago, we are called to pray together in a community. “Whenever two or more are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them.” The Mass is the highest form of this communal worship.

4. Community

No man is an island. As we chase after Christ and seek the gifts of the Holy Spirit, it is critical to have a support system of friends and mentors who encourage us, pray for us, and pick us up when we inevitably fail.

5. Sacrifice and Generosity

When combined, this is the result of the movement of the Holy Spirit. When God pours His gifts on us, we are called to respond in generosity.

Quotable

Gifts of the Holy Spirit are given to be a banquet for the Church.