The Connecting Spirit

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite contemplation of the light and power that we encounter through the Holy Spirit in our relationship with the Trinity.

Light and power

In the First Letter to the Corinthians, Paul exprAesses the means of connection between the Holy Spirit and humans.

* [2:13] In spiritual terms: the Spirit teaches spiritual people a new mode of perception (1 Cor 2:12) and an appropriate language by which they can share their self-understanding, their knowledge about what God has done in them. The final phrase in 1 Cor 2:13 can also be translated “describing spiritual realities to spiritual people,” in which case it prepares for 1 Cor 2:14–16.

In the Gospel from Luke, Jesus exercise of power over evil spirits creates a response of awe among the people of Capernaum.

* [4:34] What have you to do with us?: see note on Jn 2:4. Have you come to destroy us?: the question reflects the current belief that before the day of the Lord control over humanity would be wrested from the evil spirits, evil destroyed, and God’s authority over humanity reestablished. The synoptic gospel tradition presents Jesus carrying out this task.

Mike Cherney follows the form of the Ignatius Meditation on the Two Standards to offer a prayer to connect with the Spirit of God.

Dear gracious and merciful God,I pray for the strength not to be drawn into complicity with the selfish life. I pray for the gift of the Spirit “so that [I] may understand the things freely given [me] by God”.And I ask for the consolation that is found in right action flowing out of gratitude.

Don Schwager shares the inspiration of Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD), in his commentary on this passage from the Gospel of Luke, tells us that Jesus had all power and authority to heal every sickness and expel every demonic power because he was the living and active Word of God the Father (John 1:14 and Hebrews 4:12).

The bystanders, witnesses of such great deeds, were astonished at the power of his word. He performed his miracles, without offering up a prayer, asking no one else at all for the power to accomplish them. Since he is the living and active Word of God the Father, by whom all things exist, and in whom all things are, in his own person he crushed Satan and closed the profane mouth of impure demons. [Commentary on Luke, Homily 12].

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 4:31-37 notes when Bible scholars try to describe God’s word, they say that it acts in two different ways: it is light, and it is power. Today’s Gospel gives us a clear example of both of these ways.

God’s word is not just a theoretical principle. It’s a promise. It brings light and power. When you read today’s Gospel and see the man go from bondage to freedom, that is exactly what Jesus can do for you. So take his word into your heart. Sit with it and ponder it. Let God speak directly to you.
“Lord, open my ears to hear your powerful word.”

Friar Jude Winkler notes that in Corinth the role of the Holy Spirit was being over emphasized. The Holy One of God was understood in Jesus time as a chosen one, an anointed one, and the messiah. Friar Jude warns us of being captured by a spirit of superiority when we connect with the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Barbara Holmes who recalls the early church’s commitment to contemplation and community.

As for the early church, its origins are steeped in the intimacy of close communal groups in house churches and catacombs. During the first century, Paul refers to the knowledge of God as an understanding that exceeds rational and objective thought. This knowledge can be experienced as presence. The prophets and wisdom literature celebrate the accessibility of this presence and extol the mysteries of the human/divine relationship. Theological contemplation usually assumes the tangible reality of God’s love, our shortcomings, and the inexplicable possibility of reunion. Accordingly, relationship is a primary goal of Christian life.

Connecting with the Spirit of God is the intimacy to which we are invited by Jesus. The light and power we experience in this connection is not a marker of our superiority but an opportunity for humble thanksgiving.

References

(n.d.). 1 Corinthians chapter 2 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved September 4, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/2
(n.d.). Luke chapter 4 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved September 4, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/luke/4:31
(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved September 4, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 4, 2018, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/readings/
(n.d.). Meditations - The Word Among Us. Retrieved September 4, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/
(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 4, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/