Living the word: The beginning and the end

Sojourners Magazine, May/Jun 2001 by Bruzzese, Michaela

Almost 800 years ago, Thomas Aquinas confessed that "Every truth without exception--and whoever may utter it--is from the Holy Spirit." He couldn't have anticipated the great wisdom of his words for contemporary Christianity, for he spoke before the Reformation and the splintering of the Christian faith. And yet his words are more relevant and important now than ever.

Pentecost was, paradoxically, both the beginning and end of the church, for the Spirit descended upon individuals, within community. We are thus confronted with the difficult task of forming prophetic communities that encourage and support the gifts of the Spirit, as uniquely expressed by each individual. Within our churches, we struggle with the temptation to isolate spiritual authority in the hands of a few; within our societies, churches struggle against the temptation to declare themselves the only bearers of God's message and salvation. Neither struggle has been very successful.

As the author most focused on the work of the Holy Spirit and its role in the early community, Luke is uniquely qualified to illustrate this beautiful, complicated history. These tensions are not new--the disciples, too, were shocked to discover that God calls all people, even non-Jews, to community! Again and again, it is the most marginalized and the most "sinful" who are able to recognize Jesus, to believe, and to act on their beliefs. Those with the most social and spiritual authority are consistently reluctant, suspicious, and hesitant.

During the past 2,000 years, we have faithfully tried to create prophetic communities, guided by the Holy Spirit and determined to seek and proclaim truth, justice, mercy, and love to a troubled world. In these next eight weeks, may we be privileged to witness the work of the Holy One where we least expect it; may we have the courage to honor and act on the truth, "whoever may utter it."

MAY 6

The Gift of Uncertainty

Acts 9:36-43, Psalm 23, Revelation 7:9-17, John 10:22-30

This week's readings are at once a historical glimpse of the continued formation of the early Christian community and encouragement and reassurance in a time of transition and uncertainty. Peter's transformation, which began with Jesus' resurrection, continues, and it symbolizes the transformation of the entire early Christian community. Here, his prayer and faith bring new life to Tabitha, such that "many came to believe in the Lord" (Acts 9:42). Peter's faith and the work of the Holy Spirit give him and all the disciples the "authority" to continue Jesus' work--no small feat, considering that they are without Jesus' leadership and under increasing pressure from the state and Jewish community.

Considering these circumstances, the Psalms and Revelation passages reinforce the need for a steadfast faith, one that is not kept hidden, but lived--even and especially through the darkest valleys. If only we have the courage to trust, we are assured that our God will faithfully lead us to "springs of life-giving waters" and "wipe away every tear" (Revelation 7:17). It is only when we are uncertain, and therefore must rely on faith, that the Spirit can act at all. We must live our lives in ways that allow God to move, create, and act, and to guide us on right paths. We, like the disciples, must act with courage, and trust that the Spirit will fill in the blanks.

John, too, warns us against the temptation to seek absolute proof before we live our faith. Like those who demanded that Jesus "tell us plainly" (John 10:24) if he is the Messiah, we may find ourselves paralyzed with fear and uncertainty, waiting for the definitive sign of our discipleship before we act. John, however, assures us we are already known, called, and chosen by God. If Jesus' words and life are truly good news for us, all we need--like the disciples--is the courage to act, trusting that the Spirit will do the rest.

MAY 13

Who Am I to Hinder God?

Acts 11:1-18, Psalm 148, Revelation 21:1-6, John 13:31-35

It has been said that what churches need most is the ability to get out of the way and let God be God. This week's readings testify to the difficulty of doing just that. In Acts, we witness the disciples somewhat shocking discovery that they are not the only ones invited to new life. Indeed, even the Gentiles, the "unclean," are welcomed to the table. As Peter so aptly and humbly observed, "Who was I to be able to hinder God?" (Acts 11:17).

Who indeed? Before we scoff at the disciples' arrogance, we would do well to look within our own faith communities to see the institutionalized ignorance and pride to which we, too, are susceptible. The vast majority of our churches suffer from the disciples' same malaise, having attempted to corner the market on grace and to act as society's sole dispensers of salvation. How many of our church practices exclude, rather than include, others? How many of our communities place spiritual authority in the hands of a few, rather than recognizing the Holy Spirit's free-flowing grace among all?