6h
Sunday of Easter
1 May
2016 •••• Acts 15:1-2, 22-29 • Psalm 67 • Revelation 2:10-14,
22-23 • John 14:23-29 ••••
Title:
“Personal”
[__01__] Is my
teacher a person? Is a teacher also a person?
When we are young, we observe many boundaries and limits between the
teacher and the student.
The teacher is expected to behave differently, to act differently.
And, especially in lower grades, the teacher is a more grown-up person
than any student.
Of course, in high school and beyond, this starts to change, with many
students being taller than their teachers. However, in many ways there are
clear differences, and boundaries.
For this reason, when we are young we may not identify with a teacher as
a person. Or, at least, the teacher is
part of a very defined ecosystem or environment or habitat called the classroom
and school.
A teacher exists to deliver information, to administer exams, to test, to
give grades.
Is the teacher a person? Maybe not, if this were my only perspective or
experience.
[__02__] I reflect on this ,
because in the Gospel reading this Sunday, Jesus told his disciples and us that
that the Holy Spirit is our advocate, that the Holy Spirit is our teacher.
We read the words of our Savior:
“The
Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you
and remind you of all that I told you.” (John 14:26)
The Holy Spirit is our
teacher. Is the Holy Spirit a
person?
We profess, in our faith,
that the Holy Spirit is a person, the third person of the Holy Trinity.
[__03_] You and I know things
about the Holy Spirit. For example, we have learned that in Baptism and
Confirmation there 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit – WISDOM, UNDERSTANDING,
KNOWLEDGE, COUNSEL, PIETY, FORTITUDE, REVERENCE/FEAR OF THE LORD. These
originate in Isaiah, chapter 11.
We also read in Paul’s letter to the Galatians, chapter 5 about the 9
fruits of the Holy Spirit: - LOVE, JOY,
PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GENEROSITY, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, SELF-CONTROL.
Surely, we are called to learn about these gifts, virtues, fruits. However, these are not simply the curriculum
or subject matter of the Holy Spirit.
Yes, there are tests in our life. However, the Holy Spirit is teacher who
walks with us and talks with us, even outside the classroom.
And, isn’t it true that teachers are called to care for their students –
personally and individually – even though there may be many names and faces and
test papers to remember.
We also might say that teachers want to reach us not only intellectually
– but personally – so that we will not only LEARN now, but always have a desire
to LEARN in the future.
The Holy Spirit is the person – and gift – we receive not only for
information but also for a personal connection with God as our teacher and
creator.
We read in the letter to the Hebrews that the Word of God is not simply
for our instruction in our heads but in our hearts and consciences, in all of
our decisions:
“For
the word of God is living and active [effective], sharper than any two-edged
sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and
discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews
4:12)
Is it not the role of a teacher to understand not only what the
student is saying but what the student wants to say?
St. Paul writes about the Holy
Spirit that we hope for what we do not yet see or understand and the Holy Spirit
helps us also in prayer and meditation:
“the [Holy]
Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we
ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And, the
one who searches hearts knows what is he intention of the Spirit, because it
intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will, We know that all things
work for good for those who love God who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans
8:26-28)
The Holy Spirit, as a teacher and person, wants to help us with all of
our tests. Many of these take place outside
of a classroom.
[__04__] When I was a freshman in college, I was having
difficulty in one of my first mathematics classes. And, I came to understand – through this
experience – that that the teacher was not someone with more information or a
larger desk and chalk.
In this case, much of my learning in the would take place outside the classroom, at the professor’s desk, in his office, during his office hours, often on a Friday afternoon.
Through his patience, his
encouragement, I was able to improve my grades and survive with a B-plus.
However, I also realized – sensed – that he was giving up – sacrificing for me,
for me as a student.
In this regard, he became
not just a professor with a briefcase but also a person with something to share
not only from his head but also from his life and heart.
[__05__] The Holy Spirit is a person and teacher to you
and to me. In this regard, the Holy
Spirit helps us to put the words of Jesus Christ, the love of Jesus Christ into
our own words, into our own actions, to take up our cross each day.
In this regard, the Holy Spirit also helps
us to forgive those who might cause us difficulty, to make sacrifices or offer
prayers for those whom we do not understand.
[__06__] As our
teacher, the Holy Spirit also wants us to listen to him, to know him and to
remember that he may not give us the answers in advance, but he will help us to
know what is the question God is asking us and what is the question we are
being asked. [__fin__]
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