Christian Catholic Mystic Hermit: Delightful, Helpful Lecture from Cyril of Jerusalem

 

The following instructive lecture by Cyril of Jersualem makes clear the varied terminologies, labels, used in conjunction with the word "spirit."  I find this holy Christian's thought processes to be clear and creative, yet founded on truth with factual references and examples. Somehow I remain so impressed and loving our holy fellow-Christians of the early centuries.  

Seemingly the 4th century in particular with the many who lived the eremitic life for a couple of years or many years, is a time period with impressive spiritual thinkers and writers whose spiritual lives reflect the contemplation of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit--as well as the Mother of God, the Virgin Mary--to be enriched of mind, heart, and soul. 

Am so grateful for St. Cyril of Jerusalem, 313-350), a Bishop of Jerusalem, much later declared a "Doctor of the Church", and whose Catechectical lectures number 16: 13 assists me (and hopefully all readers) in great appreciation and inspirational contemplation of the breadth of "spirit" in Scriptures, the Living Word of God. 

"The Spirit of Truth will lead you to the fullness of Truth

Since concerning the spirit in general many diverse things are written in the divine Scriptures, and there is fear lest some out of ignorance fall into confusion, not knowing to what sort of spirit the writing refers; it will be well to clarify what kind the Scripture declares the Holy Spirit to be. For many things are called spirits. Thus an Angel is called spirit, our soul is called spirit, and this wind which is blowing is called spirit; great virtue also is spoken of as spirit; and impure practice is called spirit; and a devil our adversary is called spirit. Beware therefore when you hear these things, lest from their having a common name thou mistake one for another. For concerning our soul the Scripture says, His spirit shall go forth, and he shall return to his earth : and of the same soul it says again, Which forms the spirit of man within him. (Zechariah 12:1) And of the Angels it is said in the Psalms, Who makes His Angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire. And of the wind it says, You shall break the ships of Tarshish with a violent spirit ; and, As the tree in the wood is shaken by the spirit (Isaiah 7:2); and, Fire, hail, snow, ice, spirit of storm. And of good doctrine the Lord Himself says, The words that I have spoken unto you, they are spirit (John 6:63), and they are life; instead of, are spiritual. But the Holy Spirit is not pronounced by the tongue; but He is a Living Spirit, who gives wisdom of speech, Himself speaking and discoursing.