And with Your Spirit 

Before reading the Gospel, the “presbyter” (correct word for one who is a priest by Holy Orders as well as Baptism) or deacon says: “The Lord be with you.” The people reply: “And with your spirit.” 

“God be with you” became a standard greeting and leave-taking in Christian cultures. Compare “Good-bye” in English, Adios, Adieu in French and Spanish, Grüss Gott and Führti Gott in German/Bavarian. 

God is “with” everything we are, body and soul. But we address each other’s “spirit,” because, when dealing with those who have “grace,” the “divine Life of God,” we are conscious that we are interacting “in the Spirit” as persons who live and act as moved by the Spirit. We simply do not deal with people as ordinary human beings. We treat everyone as divine: divine children of God the Father, divine members of the Body of Christ, divine temples of the Holy Spirit who is dwelling in their hearts. 

Jesus acts with, in, and through us in everything we do as his Body. The liturgy makes us aware he does this this through his indwelling Spirit, the Paraclete, which means “called to one’s side”—”the Spirit of truth, who abides with us, and is in us to teach us everything, and remind us of all Jesus said” (see John 14:16-26). 

When people say “The Lord be with you,” we remind ourselves of the mystery of our spirits united to theirs. 

ACTION: Frequently put your hand on your heart. Remember who is there. 

PRAYER: Lord, be with me. 

— Fr. David M. Knight

View today’s Mass readings on the USCCB website here

Easter season is the time to focus on the Holy Spirit. Starting on Easter Sunday, we will look carefully at how the Spirit is proclaimed, invoked, and presented to us in the Mass. Lex orandi, lex credendi: “As the Church prays, so she believes.”

After that, we will reflect on the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2; Galatians 5:22), and at how the Spirit enters the life of those who believe.

As you read these reflections, ask for the gift of Understanding. Ask to really understand what you believe, what you see and hear at Mass. Go deeper into understanding the Mass than you ever have before. We experience the Faith when we become aware of its mystery. We hope you reflect deeply on the Mass and Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and find yourself more and more drawn into the mysteries of our Lord in the Mass and in His Gifts.