28 May Tuesday

The question Jesus raises in the Gospel requires a decision. Have I received this Holy Spirit Advocate whom Jesus sends or have I received the spirit of this age and place (this culture) in which I live. It is far easier and complacent to accept the spirit of this age.

I think it is difficult for Americans to imagine something other than what we already have. largely because it is very comfortable for us. WE have confused this for the reign of God. It is not. As soon as that is said, of course, it sounds like heresy and treason, to say nothing of a lack of gratefulness.

Yes, it is very sweet, but it is not the reign of God. It is actually the middle class bourgeoisie. When Jesus says go into the whole world, he means to penetrate the world with such an impact on society and culture so as to change it profoundly. Pope Francis speaks of this in Evangelii Gaudium. Our impact has been damaged and compromised for so many reasons.

So when it comes to the “power from on high”, it is very different from my own accumulation of power from below. I tend to trust my own power more that this other power, even having evidence every day to the contrary. How to talk about trusting and receiving this “power from on high?”