Please Help Me Explain "and With Your Spirit"

[Mary+Immaculate<3]

My Protestant friend (very receptive to Catholicism) just texted me because she was at Mass an didn't understand what "May The Lord be with you" and "And with your spirit" meant. I just told her that generally it was like the priest blessing the congregation and the respond to that with a returned blessing. Then I told her I could give her a better definition later. Is there a better, brief and simple explanation for it? Thanks! M-C

[Apotheoun]

It is a common verse and response found in the biblical texts, and within the context of the liturgy the congregational response "And with your spirit" involves recognition of the fact that the priest has received the Holy Spirit through the mystery of sacred ordination, which configures him to act in the person of Christ the head. In other words, when the congregation chants the words "And with your spirit" in response to the verse sung by the priest it is not simply responding to the individual priest in a common manner; instead, it is responding to Christ, who personally acts through His earthly minister during the liturgy by calling the Church into being by the energy of the Spirit in order to worship God the Father.

[Basilisa Marie]

I'd also say something about the importance of referencing the spirit, a reminder that we are indeed a body and a soul. :)