THEOSISAmbrose of Milan
In the Acts of the Apostles, when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the believers, a manifestation resembling fire appeared: “And suddenly there came a noise from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and filled the whole house where they were. And there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire” (Acts 2:2-3). Similarly, Gideon, preparing to confront the Midianites, instructed three hundred men to carry jars, light them, and hold trumpets in their right hands. Our forebears have maintained the tradition inherited from the Apostles, teaching that these vessels symbolize our bodies, formed from clay, which remain unafraid of the fervor of spiritual grace, and with a loud voice of confession proclaim the suffering of our Lord Jesus.
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Who can question the divinity of the Holy Spirit when wherever the Spirit’s grace is present, there is divine revelation? This testimony reflects not difference but the unity of Divine power; for how can there be a division among powers when the outcome of all is unified? Furthermore, there can be no grace of the sacraments where there is no absolution of sin. What then is this fire? It is not the flame that ignites from ordinary twigs or roars from burning reeds, but a fire that produces good works as precious as gold and consumes human sins like chaff. This must be the Holy Spirit, referred to as both the fire and the light of the Lord’s presence: the light, as previously stated, “Show us the light of Thy countenance, O Lord!” (Ps. 4:6). What, then, is this seal of light if not the seal of the Holy Spirit, in whom, as Paul writes, you are marked with the promised Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13)? Therefore, just as there exists the light of the Divine presence, a fire also emanates from the Lord’s countenance, for it is declared, “before Him is a consuming fire” (Ps. 49:3). The mercy of the Day of Judgment shines forth in advance so that forgiveness may be granted and the virtues of the saints rewarded. Oh, the profound richness of Scripture, which surpasses human understanding! Oh, the most compelling evidence of Divine unity! Consider the depth of meaning conveyed in these two verses!