Do we need the Holy Spirit in our lives, as individuals, a Church, a nation, a world? Well, let’s look at it kinda backwards.
“The gratuitous violence that greets us in the headlines each day doesn’t bother me in the least? It’s perfectly OK for folks trying to ‘don’t worry, be happy’ to use self-indulgent pleasure, through addiction to sex, alcohol, nicotine, gambling, etc.? So what if I’m obsessed with feelings of anger, hatred, resentment, jealousy, revenge? When I see those who have getting more, and those who have little getting less, eh … so what! Let them get off their lazy butts and get to work.”
“Truth and integrity don’t matter to me … it’s fun to hear the lies and distortions, particular when they agree with my point of view. Verbal, physical, and sexual abuse … it’s none of my business. Gossip and stretching the truth to make myself look good … those are perfectly OK … after all, I’ve got an image to maintain.”
“Oh yes, don’t you dare take away my individual rights, my right to do what I want, when I want, how I want. As far as freedom of expression, what I have to say is the absolute truth; what you have to say is not worth listening to. Responsibilities are for suckers, not for me!”
Sadly, my friend, many of these things today are called “natural,” “normal,” “only human” and even “necessary.” If so, we should be the happiest of people, right? In reality, lives governed by forces which cannot be identified with God may seem to be happy, but it is the most superficial happiness possible.
Come Holy Spirit. Grant us a thirst for truth and love, for freedom and justice, for community and sharing. Help us develop a close, warm, confident relationship with God whom we confidently address as “Abba” (Papa). May you make us in the fullest sense children of God, living (spitting!) images of our Father. Help us be a Spirit-filled antidote to the unhappiness in our world.
Be God’s smile for someone today!
Fr. Herb, C.S.C.
