“Do not quench the Spirit.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:19)
Oftentimes, when captivated, our minds press us forward, leading us as though under a trance. Something encourages us to act and we respond without hesitation.
But then, we stop. Our mind orders us that our current movement is but mere folly, that we are acting rashly. We feel ashamed to have even imagined acting under such inspiration. We ignore our captivation – perhaps onset by the heroic act of another – and convince ourselves that we are no such person.
A few years back, a copy of the devotional book, Jesus Calling came into my possession. A letter enclosed within its pages related that the book had been gifted to many hands, all with the intention of presenting the receiver with a grace to increase one’s faith. For each receiver, the inspiration of having been gifted with such kind intention served as a means for passing the gift on to another. The overwhelming sense of gratitude one feels when confronted with such loving favor effectively influences the self to perform an act of beneficence for another.
When I heard the phrase from First Thessalonians that I opened today’s reflection with, I found myself intrigued by what the line might mean. How is the Spirit quenched, and how is that something we can do?
Perhaps Paul was referring to those moments in which we deny our tendency to become overwhelmed with gratitude and pass forward that which we have been gifted. The most special gifts to recieve tend to be those that are unexpected and different; they have a sort of intangible value associated with them. Receiving the book from my friend was unanticipated and reading the letter even left me feeling a bit strange. It was almost difficult for me to process such a charitable act and the vulnerability required to perform such an act made me appreciative for her friendship.
The book was sent under the blaze of the Spirit, an act of God that sweeps the individual over with loving-kindness and influences him to do wonderous things in God’s name. And when we are the recipient of such graces, it is not our part to stand idle. Rather, we are called to be moved by the same spirit, to give to another that which was given to us. To refuse this, to greedily latch on the gift given us is to fail to be authentically grateful.
Being grateful is to be transported out of our small selves into something greater, to act, under God, in a manner that is generative and benevolent. To quench the Spirit is to throw aside such gratitude, to act out of avarice, seeking to possess things rather than receive them properly. Let us pray to God that we may be moved by His Spirit in a manner that is proper:
God of Inspiration,
Loosen our clenched fists and soothe our troubled minds
Help us to let go of possessiveness
Open our eyes to Your Spirit and encircle us in Your mission
Allow our beings to be swept up with Your grace and to move along with You
Give us hearts that will trust Your work, feet to keep your pace, and mouths to smile along in Your joy
Amen.
Catholicism Rekindled 