LIVING IN THE SPIRIT
Dear Parish Family,
Today, we celebrate Pentecost, which is commonly considered the “birthday” of the Church. I say “commonly” because in a way, the Father has been “birthing” the Church from the first moment of our Fall. The gestation period is salvation history. The story of our restoration or reconciliation begins when we turned away, showing how greatly God loves us, calling us back even from the beginning. The history of God offering His love and a way forward passes through all the great Patriarchs like Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David. Through each of those figures, God has been preparing a people, readying, gathering, establishing covenants, all with a view to the union of Christ Jesus, our Lord with His Bride the Church. That is the long view, and it bears remembering.
At the same time, at Pentecost, the Church felt for the first time the quickening of the Spirit, as a body gathered, and from that critical catalytic moment, we moved from fearful to courageous, from huddled together to hearkening the Good News, from a small band to a group of about 3000 persons, who had gathered in Jerusalem from all around the known world (see: Acts 2:41). And the growth continued, as the Spirit moved and worked in and through those chosen ones who opened themselves up to His presence.
Along my personal journey, I have been blessed to experience the Holy Spirit powerfully on a few special occasions. Each time, He came among a community gathered in prayer, gathered to worship as we do each week. Sometimes in churches, but also in big convention centers, the Spirit came among and moved through those praying for and receptive to His presence. Surrender and trust, that open receptivity embodied by Mary’s words, “let it be done to me,” before the Holy Spirit overshadowed her to bring about the Incarnation, are paramount. Although moving powerfully, the Spirit always respects our freedom.
Also, and typically, I experience the Spirit as a gentle companion. “The Spirit comes gently and makes Himself known by His fragrance. He is not felt as a burden, for He is light, very light.” That characterization of Saint Cyril of Jerusalem resonates with me. The way a fragrance is faint yet alluring, present and yet one cannot touch it, a wisp that can be so evident in one moment and then a memory in the next. It harkens and calls to us like the smell of freshly baked bread! We might also speak of His presence as akin to footprints or tracks. Those we might follow but require a trained eye to perceive. They indicate a way to travel but do not force or demand. In the moments when I am open and receptive to follow those hints, or strain to enjoy that fragrance, I feel that God is walking right along with me, guiding and accompanying. A certain intimacy and immediacy builds.
As your spiritual leader, I strive to be attuned to the Spirit, and also welcome and desire the presence of the Spirit in each of our lives. God seeks to move and work in and through all of us. And we will be a better parish and a stronger community, as we allow and welcome the action of the Holy Spirit, both the gentle movements and the more powerful inspirations. Come Holy Spirit!
This week, I invite you to pray that simple prayer. Ask yourself how is God tugging on your heart strings, or seeking to heal you, or striving to encourage you? And invite the presence of the Spirit into that space. To feel the presence of the Spirit, I cannot stress enough childlike surrender - so important. We are not the masters of our own lives, as it often appears and as we often pretend, but we are called to follow one who is greater, and to learn to walk in His ways.
Happy to be on this adventure with you!
Fr. Wilson
