When I was first becoming “known,” people wanted to get close to me and be my friend or have a special relationship with me. I asked myself how I would choose between all these friends and I realized that the people I really found joy in were not always people who loved me—nearly as much as people who loved what I loved. That helped me understand what I think Richard of St. Victor was trying to teach. The Holy Spirit is the shared love of the Father and the Son, and shared love is always happiness and joy. The Holy Spirit is whatever the Father and the Son are in love with; the Holy Spirit is that excitement and joy—about everything that has been created!

                                                                Adapted from The Shape of God: Deepening the Mystery of the Trinity
by Richard Rohr