They traveled through the Phrygian and Galatian territory because they had been prevented by the Holy Spirit from preaching the message in the province of Asia. When they came to Mysia, they tried to go on into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them, so they crossed through Mysia and came down to Troas.
In the last few years I took up pocket billiards and have sought occasions to practice and play the game. I also watched videos to learn about pool and its champions. I came across a video about Efren Reyes, known as "the magician," perhaps the greatest player of all time. The video compared him to Michael Jordan of basketball fame and Tiger Wood, the golf player.
All three shared a common story: when they were playing their best games, when they were truly inspired, they could not remember particular strokes, shots, or baskets. One day recently, I had a brief experience of that. I broke the rack and shot eight balls in a row to win the game. My opponent, who is the better player, never had a turn at the table. Only when the eighth ball fell did he ask, "Did you just break and run?" I hadn't noticed! I was simply shooting each ball and sending the cue ball to its next position.
In the Acts of the Apostles, the sequel to his Gospel, Saint Luke insists that the disciples of Jesus followed his Spirit with the same devotion and willing obedience that they had given to Jesus. Wherever the Spirit sent them, they went; when the Spirit prevented them from going to "the province of Asia" or "Bythinia," they did not go. They didn't ask why they should go here and not there. They simply did as they were told.
On one occasion, as Saint Francis traveled with his disciple, the well-born Matteo. They came to a crossroads and, not knowing which way they should go, Francis asked the younger man to spin around like a child until he fell down. Whichever way the dizzy aristocrat fell, that's the way they should go. Matteo, despite his dignity, did as he was told. As it turned out, they arrived in a city on the brink of civil war. Francis met with the leaders of both sides, listened to their complaints, invited them to listen to one another, and the crisis was resolved. Clearly, the Holy Spirit had directed Matteo's fall and their steps.
Our Holy Father Pope Francis has urged the Catholic Church to study and practice his Jesuit discipline of discernment. It's not a complicated process; it entails a ready willingness to do as the Lord directs without the interference of personal biases, fears, or preferences. Leave your ego at home and come with me. We ask God to conform our wills to that of the Holy Spirit, we study the choices, and follow our preferences. If we want what God wants then we'll do as God desires. Saint Augustine said it more simply, "Love God and do as you please."
Like the Blessed Mother, we want only what God wants; we go only where the Lord sends us. We dare not put off the Lord's commands until tomorrow; not even to bury our parents first, or to say goodbye to them. Saint Mark describes the inspired nature of Jesus's ministry as he immediately went here, immediately did that, and immediately said this. There was no ego to come between himself and God's direction.
Christians enjoy that kind of freedom; it is something the world cannot comprehend since they are driven by their fears, impulses, and desires. Sometimes we notice that the Lord of History has actually driven nations as a shepherd drives his sheep; evil spirits act like sheep dogs to hector and pester the flock into or out of the corral. But we beg God to reveal our sinful impulses and free us from all selfish egotism. Sometimes I must act in a certain way because I don't want to!
As we travel with the disciples through the Acts of the Apostles and the Easter season we pray that we too, the Church, might be immediately and directly guided past our own fears, urges, and desires to follow the impulse of the Holy Spirit.
No comments:
Post a Comment
I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.