The Spirit calls. Do we respond?
Published May 23, 2021 12:00 am
WORD ALIVE
FR. BEL SAN LUIS, SVD
Once an archbishop was discussing Christianity with a learned Japanese writer. The writer told the archbishop, "I can understand God the Father and God the Son, but I can never understand the significance of the Honorable Bird."
* * *
Today is the feast of the Holy Spirit or PENTECOST. It commemorates the momentous event when the Holy Spirit descended on the scared apostles in the Cenacle where the Last Supper took place.
One difficulty in knowing the “Honorable Bird” is that he is represented in various symbols. The Holy Spirit is portrayed as a dove that hovered over Christ when he was baptized at the river Jordan.
* * *
At Pentecost he came down "like wind." "Wind" ("pnoe" in Greek) is used in the Scripture to designate a person's "breath" or "spirit" (ruah in Hebrew) (Read Genesis 2,7). The Holy Spirit "inspires" or "breathes life into." And one who is inspired receives life.
The Spirit is the Church's breath. The divine breath gave the young Christian Church astonishing powers like the gift of tongues, courage to face the hostile Jews, a burning zeal, diligence, and persistence in preaching Jesus and his teachings. Because of this, Christianity has proliferated through all parts of the world.
* * *
The Spirit also moves us to CONVERSION and spiritual rebirth.
When I was assigned in our Divine Word College of Laoag, I had a friend who was a bank manager whose accounting expertise we consulted.
He talked of nothing but money--and how one could make more of it. He wasn't really that irreligious because he would go to church regularly, but stayed at the back. One would call him a "church pillar" because he just stood behind the pillars of the church!
* * *
We lost track of each other for years. But some time ago we met here in Manila. I expected him to rattle off his favorite topic--money. Surprisingly, he now talked about religious matters.
"What happened?" I asked. "It’s a long story,” he said, “but after joining a Life in the Spirit Seminar (LSS), I realized that I'd been missing a lot of important things in life. Where God occupied the sideline before, now he is at the center of my life.”
* * *
Did you ever feel turning a new life because of guilt feelings over some illegal transactions or illicit relationships? Or were you inspired to turn in to God because of a crisis in life, the good example of a friend or a spiritual retreat or seminar, or a religious article?
Such experiences are the promptings of the Holy Spirit. But the crucial question is: Do you heed the Spirit’s call?
* * *
Unfortunately, some prefer to follow the urgings of the evil spirit because the enticements and material incentives are irresistible. This is true, for instance, in the trafficking of illegal drugs. Dealers never think that such a business destroys the lives of victims, making them addicts and dysfunctional to society but they are still engaged in it because of getting rich quick.
* * *
In married life, some husbands engage in pleasurable relations with women other than their spouse. However, when one engages in illicit affairs, the inner voice of the Spirit reproves him, causing remorse, but despite that he will still do it.
We have received Baptism and Confirmation from the Holy Spirit but we need a keener awareness of his presence and, above all, heed his promptings.
* * *
THE LIGHTER SIDE. Johnny has been a charitable, God-fearing man so one day the Lord told him, “As a fitting reward, ask three wishes and I’ll grant you.”
“First, I want one billion dollars.” Poof! There’s a flash, and a paper with a Swiss bank account number appears in Johnny’s hand.
“Next, I want a Ferrari.” Poof! Another blinding flash, and shiny Ferrari is parked next to him.
“Finally,” Johnny says, “I want to be irresistible to women.” Poof! There’s another flash, and Johnny turns into a box of chocolates.
* * *
CORONA VIRUS HAS SUDDENLY CHANGED VALUES. Hugs and kisses suddenly become deadly weapons, and not visiting parents and friends becomes an act of love.
* * *
APPEAL. There are so many people who are suffering from the Covid pandemic. There are some I am helping to buy expensive medicines but my funds are not enough. Please help. Any amount you donate will be blest and highly appreciated.
* * *
The Lord said, “Whatever you did to the least of My brethren, you did it for Me” (Mt. 25,40). For inquiry, e-mail me at: [email protected]. God bless.
-30-
FR. BEL SAN LUIS, SVD
Once an archbishop was discussing Christianity with a learned Japanese writer. The writer told the archbishop, "I can understand God the Father and God the Son, but I can never understand the significance of the Honorable Bird."
* * *
Today is the feast of the Holy Spirit or PENTECOST. It commemorates the momentous event when the Holy Spirit descended on the scared apostles in the Cenacle where the Last Supper took place.
One difficulty in knowing the “Honorable Bird” is that he is represented in various symbols. The Holy Spirit is portrayed as a dove that hovered over Christ when he was baptized at the river Jordan.
* * *
At Pentecost he came down "like wind." "Wind" ("pnoe" in Greek) is used in the Scripture to designate a person's "breath" or "spirit" (ruah in Hebrew) (Read Genesis 2,7). The Holy Spirit "inspires" or "breathes life into." And one who is inspired receives life.
The Spirit is the Church's breath. The divine breath gave the young Christian Church astonishing powers like the gift of tongues, courage to face the hostile Jews, a burning zeal, diligence, and persistence in preaching Jesus and his teachings. Because of this, Christianity has proliferated through all parts of the world.
* * *
The Spirit also moves us to CONVERSION and spiritual rebirth.
When I was assigned in our Divine Word College of Laoag, I had a friend who was a bank manager whose accounting expertise we consulted.
He talked of nothing but money--and how one could make more of it. He wasn't really that irreligious because he would go to church regularly, but stayed at the back. One would call him a "church pillar" because he just stood behind the pillars of the church!
* * *
We lost track of each other for years. But some time ago we met here in Manila. I expected him to rattle off his favorite topic--money. Surprisingly, he now talked about religious matters.
"What happened?" I asked. "It’s a long story,” he said, “but after joining a Life in the Spirit Seminar (LSS), I realized that I'd been missing a lot of important things in life. Where God occupied the sideline before, now he is at the center of my life.”
* * *
Did you ever feel turning a new life because of guilt feelings over some illegal transactions or illicit relationships? Or were you inspired to turn in to God because of a crisis in life, the good example of a friend or a spiritual retreat or seminar, or a religious article?
Such experiences are the promptings of the Holy Spirit. But the crucial question is: Do you heed the Spirit’s call?
* * *
Unfortunately, some prefer to follow the urgings of the evil spirit because the enticements and material incentives are irresistible. This is true, for instance, in the trafficking of illegal drugs. Dealers never think that such a business destroys the lives of victims, making them addicts and dysfunctional to society but they are still engaged in it because of getting rich quick.
* * *
In married life, some husbands engage in pleasurable relations with women other than their spouse. However, when one engages in illicit affairs, the inner voice of the Spirit reproves him, causing remorse, but despite that he will still do it.
We have received Baptism and Confirmation from the Holy Spirit but we need a keener awareness of his presence and, above all, heed his promptings.
* * *
THE LIGHTER SIDE. Johnny has been a charitable, God-fearing man so one day the Lord told him, “As a fitting reward, ask three wishes and I’ll grant you.”
“First, I want one billion dollars.” Poof! There’s a flash, and a paper with a Swiss bank account number appears in Johnny’s hand.
“Next, I want a Ferrari.” Poof! Another blinding flash, and shiny Ferrari is parked next to him.
“Finally,” Johnny says, “I want to be irresistible to women.” Poof! There’s another flash, and Johnny turns into a box of chocolates.
* * *
CORONA VIRUS HAS SUDDENLY CHANGED VALUES. Hugs and kisses suddenly become deadly weapons, and not visiting parents and friends becomes an act of love.
* * *
APPEAL. There are so many people who are suffering from the Covid pandemic. There are some I am helping to buy expensive medicines but my funds are not enough. Please help. Any amount you donate will be blest and highly appreciated.
* * *
The Lord said, “Whatever you did to the least of My brethren, you did it for Me” (Mt. 25,40). For inquiry, e-mail me at: [email protected]. God bless.
-30-