The Holy Spirit was always present in the earthly life of Jesus. In fact, the implementation of the incarnation of Jesus was assigned to the Holy Spirit. Thus, for example, the angel said to Joseph: “For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.” (Mt. 1:20). Therefore, it was by the power of the Holy Spirit that the Eternal Son of God became incarnate. Also, Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” (Lk. 2:41-42). Thus, it was the Holy Spirit who revealed to Elizabeth that the Blessed Virgin Mary had conceived in her the Incarnate Word of God.

Also, the Holy Spirit not only came upon Simeon, but he also revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord. And when the parents brought the Child Jesus to the temple, Simeon came in the Spirit into the temple, and he recognized the Child as the Messiah. (Lk. 1:26-34).

The Holy Spirit also consecrated the humanity of Christ for his messianic work. For example, immediately after Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven opened, and the Spirit of God, descending  like a dove, came on him. (Mt. 3:16). The Holy Spirit remained with him all through his earthly ministry. Thus, John the Baptist testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him.” (Jn. 1:32).

Also Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit after his baptism, and the Holy Spirit also led him to the desert to be tempted by the devil. After he had been tempted by the devil, Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread throughout the whole region. (Mt. 4:1; Lk. 4:1, 14).

Furthermore, God the Father anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and Jesus went about doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil. (Acts 10:38). Also, the Spirit of the Lord anointed Jesus to bring good news to the poor, to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim spiritual liberty to those held captive by the powers of darkness, to give sight to the blind, to set free those under spiritual oppression, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. (Lk. 4:18-19).

In addition, Christ offered himself unblemished to the Father through the Holy Spirit to cleanse our consciences from dead works, that is, from deeds that could lead to eternal damnation, so that we may serve the Living God. (Heb. 9:13-14). Scripture also testifies that the Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the dead. “If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit that dwells in you.” (Rom. 8:11). Also, Jesus imparted the Holy Spirit to the Apostles through his breath. “He breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” (Jn. 20:22). Shortly before he ascended to heaven, Jesus said to them that they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them. (Acts 1:8).

Let us pray. O Holy Spirit, Spirit of Truth and Lord of Life, I come to you with contrition for all my sins. Free and protect me from the tribulations of the evil one, and grant me the favor of your blessings, strength, and protection. I repent of all the sins that I have committed against you. Accept my contrition, and do not cast me away from you. In you, I place all my hope. In the past, I have fallen miserably into sin; but by the merits of Jesus Christ and by the purifying power of your light, you have pardoned me. Let your power and presence be with me always so that I may not lose your grace and favor. Protect me, O Spirit of God, from the assaults of the enemy of my salvation. Never allow me to sin again or to offend you; but lead me safely into the gates of paradise. Obtain this for me now and forever. Amen.