GOD’S GOOD SPIRIT
Jesus isn’t a man empty or dispersed within. He doesn’t act arbitrarily in the villages of Galilee or moved by just any interest. The Gospels make it clear from the start that Jesus lives and acts, moved by «the Spirit of God».
The Gospels don’t want him to be confused with just any «master of the law», busy about introducing more order in the behavior of Israel. They don’t want him to be identified with a false prophet who’s ready to seek equilibrium between the temple religion and Roman power.
The Gospel writers, in addition, don’t want him to be made the equivalent of the Baptist. Let no one see him as just a disciple or co-worker of that great prophet of the desert. Jesus is «the beloved Son» of God. Upon him «descends» the Spirit of God. Only he can «baptize» with the Holy Spirit.
According to the biblical tradition, the «Spirit of God» is God’s breath that creates and sustains all life. The force that God possesses to renew and transform living beings. God’s loving energy that always seeks what’s best for God’s sons and daughters.
That’s why Jesus feels that he’s sent not to condemn, destroy or curse, but to heal, build and bless. God’s Spirit drives him to enhance life, make it better. Full of that good «Spirit» of God, he is dedicated to free people from «evil spirits» that do nothing but damage, enslave, and dehumanize.
The first Christian generations are clear about what Jesus was. This is how they sum up the memory that Jesus left imprinted on his followers: «Anointed by God with the Holy Spirit… he went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him» (Acts of the Apostles 10,38).
What «spirit» animates us followers of Jesus today? What is the «passion» that moves the Church? What is the «mysticism» that makes our community live and act? What are we bringing to the world? If Jesus’ Spirit is in us, we will go about «healing» those who are oppressed, depressed or repressed by evil.
José Antonio Pagola
Translator: Fr. Jay VonHandorf
