Saturday of the 5th Week of Easter
May 24, 2014 8:30am
There are some interesting
phrases in today’s first reading.
The passage says that Paul and
Barnabas were “prevented by the Holy
Spirit from preaching in the province of Asia.”
And then it says, “They tried to go into Bithynia, but the
Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.”
In a way, these are strange
phrases to read in Scripture.
Usually we talk about the Spirit
of God calling us to do certain good works.
But, in the course of life, the
Spirit of God also calls us not to do certain things – things that are hurtful
and irresponsible.
For example, the Spirit of Jesus
tries to hold us back from responding hurtfully to the hurtful words or actions
of another, maybe by reminding us that this will lead to no good and just make
things worse.
The Spirit of Jesus tries to keep
us from ignoring someone in need, maybe through feelings of guilt.
The Spirit of Jesus moves us not
to always put ourselves and desires ahead of the greater good or the common
good of all, maybe by keeping us aware that we are all human with similar needs
and aspirations in life.
So, no question, the Holy Spirit
calls us to respond to God’s calling and to use God’s gifts and to positively
do good things.
But the Spirit also puts on the brakes
and prevents us at times from doing things that do not express well or at all
the way of Jesus.
