“God
generously bestows the Spirit” by Beth DeCristofaro
But Peter and the Apostles said in
reply, "We must obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29)
For the one whom God sent speaks the
words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit. (John 3:34)
Piety
May
the steadfast love of God, the peace of Christ and the communion of the Holy
Spirit be with us, now and always. Amen
(from Morning Prayer of the Day)
Study
Is
this John the Baptist speaking or are they the words of the Gospel writer(s),
thought to be a community formed and inspired by the evangelist John? In John’s Gospel, an important theme is Jesus revealing
himself as one with God for all time, sent by God. Also is Jesus’ statement, repeated again and
again, that he proclaims God’s message of life for anyone who accepts
discipleship. John the Baptist, earlier
in this Gospel, had explained that he had to diminish in order that the One who
is following, sent by God, increases.
And God is generous, God does not limit the Spirit.
John
the Baptist, the Johannine writers, and the Apostles who faced accusations by the
Sanhedrin were only the first to face great opposition by those who could not
see and would not hear this message. For
the leaders of the Temple, it was rigid adherence to the Law. Three centuries later St Athanasius argued
against Arianism, a teaching which did not accept Jesus’ divinity. John’s
Gospel begins: In the beginning was the
Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.
(1:1) Arianism, however, stated that Jesus was a created
being, not one with the Father before and outside of time. Athanasius, the
Apostles and of course the Baptist faced grave opposition.
But the Word prevailed in Truth and over death and so do all who accept
discipleship.
Action
Today
God remains generous in bestowing the Spirit.
In what ways do I sacrifice to hear the Word and obey God rather than
men? How in this season of Easter do I experience the gift of the Spirit?
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