We are generally speaking very comfortable with the tenets of our faith regarding the nature of God. We have come to believe with all of our hearts that God is Father, Son and Spirit, three in One. Every liturgical prayer begins in the name of that Triune God as we sign ourselves with the cross.
Consequently, we probably rarely consider the fact that it was not always thus. Our knowledge and the resultant faith about God developed over time. The reading from the Acts of the Apostles for our liturgy today reminds us of this fact as Paul encounters a community of believers who were already walking "The Way." As he entered into discussion and reflection with them, Paul discovered that they had no knowledge of the Holy Spirit.
This passage of the Acts of the Apostles impresses me on several fronts. First of all, I find myself being grateful that God has entered into a process of dialogue with us to reveal himself. Secondly, I am grateful for the early Christian community for its efforts to make God known throughout their world. Finally, I am grateful that the Church has continued to reflect on the mystery of God's presence in our midst and that we are still encountering God and learning more and more as a result. God is not a dusty tome sitting on the bookshelves of some theological library. Rather, God is a person who strives to enter into relationship with us each and every day. That relationship gives me like and sustains me as I hunger for faith, hope and love.