JUNE 12, 2011- PENTECOST SUNDAY - 1COR 12; 3-7,12-13;
JOHN 20:19-23
NO ONE CAN SAY “JESUS IS LORD” EXCEPT IN THE HOLY SPIRIT. Implied
in this assertion made by
Paul makes this positive statement immediately after a
negative one that points out that “no one speaking in the Spirit of God can say
“Jesus is anathema.” The context in which he sets out this teaching is that of
evaluating the behavior of those who at a meeting of the congregation, speak
out under some interior impulse. Paul is giving norms by which to evaluate and
judge such speech. Does it represent a gift of the Spirit of God or some
aberration? In
Paul has no doubt that, even though some years have passed
since the Holy Spirit was first sent on the community of believers, the same
Spirit continues to come upon the community of believers and to act through and
in them. He feels no need to raise this issue which is broadly accepted;
rather, he details with considerable preciseness various practices that are not
in keeping with the spiritual good of the community, and, as in the present
text, sets out norms by which to form sound judgment as to the action of the
Spirit. As he concludes these comments he points out that “All of us have been
given to drink of the one Spirit.”
The Lord Jesus, as the Gospel we have just heard informs us,
after his resurrection, appeared to his disciples and commissioned them to go
forth and carry on his mission. To empower them for this spiritual undertaking
John tells us “He breathed on them and said “Receive the Holy Spirit.” In his
letter to the Corinthians Paul takes it for granted that this transmission of
the Spirit was not limited to those present on that resurrection day when the
Lord imparted the Spirit, but that all who believe and profess that Jesus is
Lord have been gifted with the Spirit of God. In a later letter to the same
Corinthians Paul makes explicit a fundamental consequence of being in the
Spirit and witnessing to Jesus as Lord. He writes that “If one is in Christ he
is a new creature.” (2 Cor 5:17) The Spirit imparted
by Christ, sent from the Father, is a creative energy that makes accessible to
us a power that, while hidden, is more real and sublime than any other force in
this world. It allows us to participate already in the new world that God is
preparing for an eternal existence. In receiving the Holy Spirit, in consenting
to his movements within us, and placing our trusting confidence in truths he
makes known to us in Christ, we already become participants in the New Creation
being prepared by God for his eternal kingdom. Convinced on these truths, then,
and grateful for the faith given us, let us prove worthy of them by lives of
trusting fidelity, and thank the Father, the Son and the Spirit for giving us a
share in the work of building his New Creation in the Holy Spirit. Ω
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