THE PROMISED GIFT OF GOD

                                         --fr. Conrad Saldanha

Years ago, when I was ordained to the priesthood, my sister presented me with a cell phone set, minus the SIM card. She missed an opportunity to keep in touch because I never really used the instrument! Two years later when I started the retreat ministry in the Archdiocese of Bombay, the team members, frequently complained about my inaccessibility, especially in matters that needed instant decisions.

The Mobile became a source of contact and easy accessibility. They could, in a way, now keep in touch anytime and anywhere.

Similarly, God has given us his Holy Spirit in baptism, which is God’s presence in us; a dwelling place of God in the Spirit (Eph. 2:22). Through him we are able to be with God and more so, God is with us, Emmanuel. We can now approach his holy throne through the indwelling Holy Spirit and receive from this throne the many blessings and graces he has given us (Eph. 3:12; Heb.4:16), including the fellowship of the saints in glory (Eph. 1: 18). We are able to communicate with the right person; God himself in the spirit (Rm. 8:15; Gal.4:6), while God communicates his wisdom and love to us (Rm.5:5).

As I look into the Scriptures, one of the statements of Jesus, that impresses me, and moves me immensely, is  the one from the Gospel of John;  "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." Jn. 4:10

   

The greatest thirst of humanity is to find that meaning in life which would satisfy him or her totally.

The beauty of the passage is the intense passion in his pleading. It seems to show a sense of concern for the other’s need. The statement reveals the weakness of human nature that seems to know everything and yet is foolish enough, to ignore the essential and necessary aspects of life and survival. It is as if Jesus speaking to the woman is addressing the whole human race; “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you…..”  Truly, if only we knew this great gift of God. Yet, our response is always like the woman; she completely misses the point. Here, we see another aspect of human frailty which is a fall out of our sinfulness; what is communicated and what is understood is quite different. God is patient with our sinfulness and slowness and hence Jesus switches mode and gets to an extraordinary level of communication whereby she recognizes him as prophet. Jesus is indeed that someone extraordinary who is to be trusted even though not fully understood.

Jesus switches mode; from logical arguments to extraordinary sign and appeal. This is deliberately done because Jesus knew that logic doesn’t always work especially when it comes to communicating the things of God to sinful humanity, even though it was the most logical and extraordinary knowledge. She seeing him as a prophet, as that someone extraordinary, is half the problem solved. Now it moves to a level of trust irrespective if I understand Jesus or not. This is exactly what the Apostle Peter does when he is confused and bewildered: "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (Jn. 6:68). You are much safer than science, logic, human wisdom or god men or baba’s. You are worthy to be trusted and believed in.    

(Compare with Gen. Chapter 3: In the first temptation in the garden of Eden, the serpents argument is based on pure logic and the woman is impressed, gets converted and reaches out in service to her beloved husband and wins him and through  him the human race.  But this futile service ultimately led to the ruin of human race.)

On the other hand, let’s have a look at the various thirsts that an individual could have besides the basic necessity of food, water, clothing and shelter; it could be wealth, power, acceptance, self-glory, pride, sinful habits and bondages. Rarely is one satisfied with what one has, and always seeks for more. It’s like a person who is given water to quench his thirst and if given a glass of soft drink or beer will gulp that too. Even though the initial thirst has been quenched by water but the underlying thirst for the pleasures of life never dies. Besides these, there is also the thirst to do good, to reach out to the less fortunate, to love and show affection but apart from God, they can be self motivated exercises aiming towards a goal that is normally steeped in self-glory.

To have a thirst is not the problem, but how it is quenched and the whole purpose and goal of such a thirst is where the problem lies. To thirst is the natural desire and is the right thing to have. Where and how it is directed makes it good or evil. What are we quenching our thirst with?

Where will humanity direct its thirst, when they themselves are so confused, and do not know their true destiny, and where to find the ultimate meaning of life. That which is peripheral is mistaken to be the core truth.

Jesus teaches us the ultimate meaning of life and gives our life a direction. Jesus’ revelation of eternity in his resurrection and the importance of the individual in the sight of God are the ultimate thirst every human being craves for in some measure or the other. Where is life’s ultimate destiny and who am I in this journey of life, why do I exist are the very question Jesus has answered for us in this passage of scripture.

1) “the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (Jn. 4:14) – this water will quench the thirst for the search for eternity and help us overcome the negative pulls of sin and death.

2)  “the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for such the Father seeks to worship Him” (Jn. 4:23) – This water will help us relate with God in a personal and real way. If God is with us, what else do we require; to quench our many thirsts? In God alone is our real and ultimate fulfillment.

The Holy Spirit is God’s free gift to quench the ultimate and greatest thirst of man; the thirst for the ultimate, the thirst for the absolute truth which will help him find meaning and happiness in life. It is only Jesus who gives him to us. Scripture teaches us that the life of God, which is the Holy Spirit, was poured out for humanity, in all its abundance, on the altar of the cross; “…you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." (Jn. 4:10) Without asking, no spirit!

Jesus is the one who gives us instruction on the Holy Spirit, the promised one. If he was not to be known then Jesus would not have revealed him to us. We need to first know him and the power that he is able to exert in our lives and desire to receive him and allow his working in us. Then only can we have the ‘gift of God’; the Holy Spirit by welcoming him^.

Know him and you will be known by him; Jesus would not have revealed to us the Holy Spirit if he was not to be known and received (Jn.14:17).

What are we missing by not knowing the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is the life giver. God only is eternal life and the source of it. We need this life of God for happiness, peace and joy. We need this life to overcome the bondages of life and to live in the freedom of God’s children. We need this life to overcome all those forces that are against life; Satan, sin and death. In other words, our abundance of life is not in being experts or achieving the extraordinary in the world, but in having the Holy Spirit of God, given to us through faith in his Son Jesus to all who ask of him. This Holy Spirit is also received in a faith community where Jesus is the centre.

The Holy Spirit fulfills the above mission through the following way:

1) Ongoing instruction and formation(Jn.16:12-13): Our growth is in growing in the image and likeness of God, as revealed in Christ Jesus; that’s the measure and criteria of growth (Jn.14:26; Lk.12:12);  Instructions for growth and instruction for defense, instructions that will convict us of sin, righteousness and judgment (Jn. 16:8) .

2) Relationship with God: The Holy Spirit helps us in establishing a relationship with God. This relationship helps us withstand the forces of darkness and hostility that seek to draw us away from God and his wisdom (cfr.Jn.14:16-17).  He is the seal and guarantee and it is he alone who can save us unto eternity (2Cor.1:22).

3) Comforter (2Cor.1:4, 7:6): He is our comforter as we journey on this treacherous and difficult path, which cost God’s beloved Son the great pain of being sacrificed on the Cross of humiliation and shame, accompanied with both physical and mental torture.  Similarly, we too will find ourselves victims of the same torture by senseless men in position of power and authority. The Holy Spirit will be our guide and comforter at such moments, even giving us the wisdom to speak the right thing when faced with such trials (Lk.12:12) .

5) Empowering with the gifts: the Holy Spirit is given to usHoly Sp to accomplish Jesus’ mission of enlightening the human race about the importance of one’s soul and the ultimate destiny of each one (Jn.15:26). He paid the price in order to actualize it for us. The Holy Spirit makes us God’s Children and God’s presence in this human world; notch above the rest!  He empowers the church with his gifts to accomplish his mission of building the Church which he has redeemed by his blood (Eph.4:11-13).

6) Character formation and strength: The worship of God in Spirit and truth is the simplest and easy way to form ourselves in his character. If bad company spoils good morals (1Cor. 15:33) likewise the good company of God’s presence in true worship enhances our personalities. The quenching of the thirst makes us secure so as not to seek after worldliness. We are made instruments in service to God and neighbor, for he helps us how to pray (Rm.8:24).

7) Fellowship and love: One of the great fruit of the Holy Spirit is the spirit of unity and fellowship he brings about. (Acts 2:44-45). He does it!

These are the elements that make the church alive to face and even convert the world, rejecting these actions of the Holy Spirit is much more serious than any abuse in the church. It’s the same as sinning against the Holy Spirit; a grievous sin (Mt. 12:32; Mk. 3:29; Lk. 12:10).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, May I always value your precious gifts, especially the gift of your Holy Spirit, fill me with this power. Make me your instrument and may I always be attentive to the promptings of your Holy Spirit in all that I do.