The Spirit of God was experienced by disciples as a vital energy. It was as the breath of Christ and came in the physical expressions of a strong wind and tongues of fire. The presence of God in Christ was both contained in physical form, and yet, free flowing as from breath, wind, and fire. The disciples experienced themselves flowing and overflowing with the Spirit of God. With that vial energy they continued Jesus’ mission for communion, love, and healing.
God’s Spirit of communion, love, and healing animated all those open to receiving joyful enthusiasm. Vital energy flowed through commoners, men and women, rich and poor, young and old who received it, but also through hierarchs willing to receive it. People who had known significant differences between themselves set them aside to come together as one human family. They presented to those who would keep them apart a meaningful way for people to be together. This is all well and good if everyone agrees to join in. But what of those who don’t? What do we do with people who refuse to give themselves over to a Spirit of communion or compassion or kindness and decide to wreak division, anger, or cruelty instead? We can call them selfish or ignorant, even evil. We can, in our righteousness, rationalize rejecting them or destroying them. But then we become those who refuse to give ourselves over to Jesus’ way and to the vital energy of the Spirit. We add to the world’s pain by being yet another group forcing coercive or violent methods on people. In what way have people who call themselves Christian become imitators of those who opposed Jesus? In what way have we become coercive or violent in support of status or money or nationalism? To whatever degree we have, we have lost our vital energy and are no longer flowing or overflowing with the Holy Spirit.
What is the power of the Spirit among us? Whatever else might be needed for those of us who spread pain in this world, there is certainly needed the vital energy of community. We need a life-giving community of powerful people who witness to us a Spirit of communion, love, and healing power.
Prayer: Dear Spirit, fills the world with vital energy.
Question: To whom do I need to bring my vital energy?
May 19, 2013 Gospel John 20:19-23 and Acts 2:1-11 Pentecost