That’s another fine mess you’ve gotten me into

 

Pentecost must have been brilliant. No language barriers, many healings, miracles, visions, and clear guidance from God; the Apostles were unstoppable. And even in our day an encounter with the Holy Spirit tends to produce great fervour in those who have made the transition from believeing God exists to one’s certainty that He exists. All manner of adventure awaits those who embrace the risk of trusting when He puts you on the spot.

One evening (in the last century) I was on my way to Mass in Manchester City Centre, I parked outside the church at the end of the road as usual (as the traffic wardens had gone home for the night) and was about to walk up when a boy on a bycicle stopped and asked if I would help his friend who had been grabbed by two men at the top of the street. I said ‘yes’ and could see the two figures up ahead. He jumped back on his bike and set off, presumably to tell his friend that the cavalry was on the way!

I walked briskly up the road and decided I had better consult HQ to see what the plan was. So I prayed “Lord, what do you want me to say when I get there?” I waited a few seconds. Complete Radio Silence. Perhaps that was the wrong question. So I prayed “Lord, what shall I do once I get there? And I added a suggestion so as to move things along as I was already half way there.. “Shall I thump him on the nose?” Silence again. In the last 10 seconds I tried to recall the numerous methods God uses to communicate with his people, I scanned the vegetation looking for anything smouldering, checked the pavement for a conveniently discarded donkey’s jaw bone and then suddenly I had arrived. 

At a range of 12 inches from the face of the antagonist who still had hold of the boy’s arm I concluded that I ought to follow the instructions precisely. So I said …. Nothing. I did … Nothing. I simply stared at their faces; relentlessly! Neither seemed able to make eye contact with me.  He let go of the boy, they exchanged a few more ‘un-pleasantries’ with each other and the two men turned on their heels and left. The boy said “thanks mister” and he and his friend left in the opposite direction. I went to Mass none-the wiser as to what had transpired!

It would be interesting to know the other side of the story; perhaps my guardian angel had shown himself with a flaming sword or maybe I looked more terrifying than usual. In any case I know that God is trustworthy and we can have confidence in Him to come through when we do what is proper. (“In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” John 16:33)

Common sense is the enemy of the supernatural life

It’s interesting how God revealed Himself in the three persons of the Trinity sequentially and how each step takes that revelation to a deeper, more intimate level. 

I owe a lot to Cecil B. DeMille and Charlton Heston for my introduction to God in the movie The Ten Commandments, a burning bush on Sinai, His mighty deeds in Eygpt – this was a God I wanted in my corner. As a boy I rather hoped to climb Mt. Sinai and see if He was in. 

The image of Jesus is certainly different, more personal though not lacking drama by any means. I find that the scene on the shore of Lake Galilee, after His work, death and Resurrection is completed, tells a lot about Him. It’s a rather ordinary scene, breakfast on the shore with His friends to strengthen their hearts and celebrate. There is no pomp and ceremony; if you’ll excuse the absurdity, St Peter’s doesn’t put on a big hat while the apostles line up in height order and start chanting (in Latin) while he wafts incense in Jesus’ general direction. I wonder if we have lost sight a bit of what He is really like. 

At Pentecost the Holy Spirit is revealed to us and this is the area where we have really lost the plot. The principle thing that happened with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit was the beginning of the supernatural life of the church. As the apostles witnessed, their word was confirmed by the miracles that accompanied their testimony as they were led by the indwelling Spirit. 

Are we led by the same indwelling Spirit ? It’s said that “common sense (worldly wisdom) is the enemy of the supernatural life” or the life in the Spirit as often the supernatural life is counter intuitive. For example in Acts 3:6-7 where Peter meets a lame beggar at the beautiful gate. Common sense may lead us to help in a practical way, food, small change, etc. but the supernatural life says “in the name of Jesus of Nazareth I order you to get up and walk” which of course he did. Similarly in Acts 9:36-40 where a believer called Tabitha dies. Common sense might recommend an undertaker, the supernatural life caused Peter to kneel down and pray and say to the corpse “Tabitha, get up” which she did. For that to happen in our day we must be open to the Spirit, develop the interior life and listen to the Spirit or we will miss those moments in hesitation or because of our allegiance to common sense..