NEXT TO NOTHING? NO WAY!

Back when I was still studying Theology before my priestly ordination, I came across a “shocking” quotation about the Holy Spirit from a priest-theologian. It goes, “After 20 long centuries of Christianity, the Holy Spirit means next to nothing to the average Christian.”

We can almost kick up a storm in reaction against such a sweeping, almost irresponsible statement. But immediately on second thought, can it be true at least in some sense? The operative word in the above quotation is the adjective average. (Look at it again.) That’s where the problem lies: when one is mediocre or not up to par in living out one’s faith.

Let’s try to apply this to our very selves: we can easily give in to minimalism and laziness in the spiritual life. If that were the case, it naturally follows that the Holy Spirit has little to do in our spiritual life.

The cause for this may be plain forgetfulness or neglect. It’s like wearing eyeglasses. When they’re set comfortably on our nose bridge, we tend to be unaware of them. Their best work is done when, through them, we can watch a movie clearly or read a book well. Eyeglasses are not to be seen, but to be seen through. The solution lies, therefore, not so much in contemplating or analyzing the Holy Spirit, but in a greater awareness of it in our lives and in our world. It’s like we turn the pages of life but we don’t read the book!

That is too, why, someone said, “If I were to begin my life again, I should want it as it was. I would only open my eyes a little more.” We should truly open our eyes a little more to see the workings of the Spirit in us.

Perhaps that quotation in our first paragraph was truly intended to wake us up from our indifference to the movement of the Holy Spirit in our lives. For us, it simply cannot be that the Holy Spirit means next to nothing. On this Pentecost Day, therefore, we renew our awareness of the Spirit’s role in our lives as Christians. And we commit to bring that awareness to fruition as well in our lives as Christians. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

 

Reflection Question:

How sensitive are you to the movement of the Holy Spirit in your life?

 

Holy Spirit, wake me up from my deep slumber.

 

St. Cunera, pray for us.