The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with those experiences where action results from the inspiration of the Spirit.
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| In the moment |
In the reading from the Book of Acts, Luke presents a view of life in the Christian Community where action is guided by the Spirit.
* [4:32–37] This is the second summary characterizing the Jerusalem community (see note on Acts 2:42–47). It emphasizes the system of the distribution of goods and introduces Barnabas, who appears later in Acts as the friend and companion of Paul, and who, as noted here (Acts 4:37), endeared himself to the community by a donation of money through the sale of property. This sharing of material possessions continues a practice that Luke describes during the historical ministry of Jesus (Lk 8:3) and is in accord with the sayings of Jesus in Luke’s gospel (Lk 12:33; 16:9, 11, 13).1
Psalm 93 alludes to the ancient myth when sea completely covered the land.
* [Psalm 93] A hymn celebrating the kingship of God, who created the world (Ps 93:1–2) by defeating the sea (Ps 93:3–4). In the ancient myth that is alluded to here, Sea completely covered the land, making it impossible for the human community to live. Sea, or Flood, roars in anger against God, who is personified in the storm. God’s utterances or decrees are given authority by the victory over Sea (Ps 93:5).2
In the Gospel from John, Jesus instructs Nicodemus in the transformation brought by the Spirit.
[3:14] Lifted up: in Nm 21:9 Moses simply “mounted” a serpent upon a pole. John here substitutes a verb implying glorification. Jesus, exalted to glory at his cross and resurrection, represents healing for all.
* [3:15] Eternal life: used here for the first time in John, this term stresses quality of life rather than duration.3
Joan Howard asks when, where, how and with whom did the Spirit, the Wind, the Breath of God blow through us, ruffle the feathers of our heart and giving us new life so that we were able to see more clearly what we had not seen before?
The next time we meet Nicodemus is at Jesus’ crucifixion. (Chapter 21) Nicodemus brings herbs and spices and assists Joseph of Arimathea in preparing Jesus’ body for burial. Initially Nicodemus approached Jesus in the “night”, in darkness and confusion and curiosity. This time he approaches the crucified Jesus in daylight possibly with fear, but also with courage and compassion. Somewhere along his journey, the Spirit, the Wind blew over and through him bringing him into the light so he could see the kingdom. Nicodemus had been “born again”.4
Don Schwager recalls the seven gifts of the Spirit as described by Isaiah.
The Holy Spirit gives us spiritual power and gifts, especially the seven-fold gifts of wisdom and understanding, right judgment and courage, knowledge and reverence for God and his ways, and a holy fear in God's presence (see Isaiah 11), to enable us to live in his strength as sons and daughters of God. Do you thirst for the new life which God offers you through the transforming power of his Holy Spirit?
"Lord Jesus Christ, your death brought life for us. Fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may walk in freedom and joy in the knowledge of your great victory over sin and death."5
The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 4:32-37 acknowledges we probably aren’t called to live the way the early Christians did, but we can still strive to have “one heart and mind” with one another (Acts 4:32).
Once you have settled on a situation, take a few moments to pray for unity. Even a simple prayer such as “Come, Holy Spirit; bring us together in unity” can make a difference. Then, quiet yourself and try to listen to what God may say to you. Maybe he’ll encourage you to be more attentive to your spouse’s concerns. He may give you a fresh perspective on a troubling relationship at work. He may even prompt you to do something to bring two parties together—over a meal or in a conversation. He is creative, so just try to be open!6
Friar Jude Winkler categorizes the idyllic picture presented by Luke as somewhat exaggerated. A “vocation brochure” version of a story lets you discover the whole truth later. Friar Jude comments that Jesus divinity is exalted as He pours Himself out on the Cross.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, teaches Jesus’ primary metaphors for the Eternal Now are “the kingdom of God” and “the kingdom of heaven.” He is not talking about a far-off celestial heaven. Nondual knowing is learning how to live satisfied in the naked now, which some called “the sacrament of the present moment.” This consciousness will teach us how to actually experience our experiences, whether good, bad, or ugly, and how to let them transform us. Words by themselves divide and judge the moment; pure presence lets it be what it is, as it is.
As long as we deal with life as a set of universal abstractions, we can pretend that our binary coordinates are true. But once we touch concrete reality—ourselves, someone we love, actual moments—we find that reality is almost always a mixture of good and bad, dark and light, life and death. “God alone is good,” Jesus tells the rich young man (Mark 10:18). To touch upon Reality requires a both/and synthesis rather than an either/or differentiation where we throw part of reality out (the part we don’t like). The nondual mind is open to everything that comes its way. It does not even deny sin or evil. It is capable of listening to the other, to the body, to the heart, to all the senses. It begins with a radical yes to each moment and to all other people.7
The born again follower of Jesus seeks to attend to the call of the Spirit to action in the inspiration of the present moment.
References
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(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 93 - usccb. Retrieved April 30, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/93
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(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries - Creighton University. Retrieved April 30, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
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(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 30, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
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(n.d.). Saint Pius V, Pope (Optional Memorial) - Mass Readings and Catholic .... Retrieved April 30, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/04/30
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(2019, April 30). The Eternal Now — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 30, 2019, from https://cac.org/the-eternal-now-2019-04-30/
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