Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter
The Acts of the Apostles highlights quite the contrast between Stephen’s relationship to the Holy Spirit versus that of the elders, scribes, and the people. Stephen demonstrates docility and confidence in the Spirit, which inspires him to forgive the very people who are stoning him. Whereas the people, on the other hand, show their stubbornness, being infuriated, and they covered their ears. Here we can imagine a child covering one’s ears, not listening to what his or her parents are instructing.
The root problem is all too familiar to us. The scribes, elders, and the people demonstrate an unwillingness to listen. I think that our refusal to listen to God, or listen to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit, is the source of many of our problems in life. It’s not too different from Adam and Eve’s disobedience (i.e., a refusal to listen) to God in the Garden of Eden. The pattern of stubbornness throughout history only breeds sin, chaos, and unhappiness—and our personal experience would attest to this dynamic as well.
Like Stephen and the disciples, we want to cultivate within ourselves an attitude of listening—listening to the many ways that the Spirit of Jesus speaks to us. This attentiveness to Spirit takes commitment, effort on our part, cooperation with grace, and a fair amount of energy. For this reason, many people are unwilling to persevere in following the Spirit. They would prefer to be in a perpetual state of distraction or listening and following their own will.
I had a young man tell me that once he started praying and asking what God wanted for his life, things changed quickly, and life took on a clear direction where he found abiding peace. I asked this young man, “How were you spending your time in prayer before you starting doing this?” He responded honestly, saying, “I had been unconsciously resisting grace and trying to control every aspect of my life.”
Current circumstances with the pandemic are not allowing us to control every aspect of our life, so let’s embrace that reality and turn it over to God. Let’s be bold—let’s dare to listen and trust completely in the Spirit that desires to animate our lives!
Posted in Daily Reflections, Lenten Resources