In Attendance at the School of the Holy Spirit
During Covid, our schools closed. But there is one school that is ALWAYS open: the school of the Holy Spirit. What is the Holy Spirit instructing us in during these unique and may I say, historic days? I would like to offer three concrete lessons that come to the forefront.
With colleges, high schools, grade schools, pre-schools, and yes, even day-care centers closed, one may wonder, are there schools open anywhere? I would say emphatically, there is one school that never closes, and that is the School of the Holy Spirit. His school, many times, may seem unavailable or even remote, but now, during this Covid-19 pandemic, all Catholic Christians are enrolled and they KNOW IT!
What is the Holy Spirit instructing us in during these unique and may I say, historic days? I would like to offer three concrete lessons that come to the forefront. First of all, we are all learning and being taught and re-taught this: the domestic church is the birthplace of the Christian life. Down through the ages, as people were converted and beccame believers, “they desired that ‘their whole household’ should also be saved. These families who became believers were islands of Christian life in an unbelieving world” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1655). Building up the domestic church will bring integrity, conversion, growth and discipleship to our Catholic Church. Catholic parents can look to the Catechism of the Catholic Church for direction regarding their responsibilities to impart the faith to their children. There we learn, “The Christian home is the place where children receive the first proclamation of the faith. For this reason the family home is rightly called ‘the domestic church,’ a community of grace and prayer, a school of human virtues and of Christian charity” (No. 1666). There is one characteristic that expresses the Holy Spirit’s presence in this first “curriculum” of His school-prayer. Simply put, “A family that prays together stays together” (St. Teresa of Calcutta). Additionally, our Catechism tells us, “The Christian family is the first place for education in prayer” (No. 2694). We must endeavor to lay a foundation of prayer in our domestic churches as a key lesson from the COVID-19 crisis. It will undoubtedly be one of the most important things we will ever do as Christian parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles.
The second lesson taught in the School of the Holy Spirit is the necessity of being a part of a small group and community. We cannot serve Jesus wholeheartedly in isolation. “So that all parishes of this kind may be truly communities of Christians, local ecclesial authorities ought to foster...small, basic or so-called ‘living’ communities, where the faithful can communicate the word of God and express it in service and love to one another; these communities are true expressions of ecclesial communion and centers of evangelization, in communion with their pastors” Pope John Paul II, {The Lay Members of Christ’s Faithful People). The pressures experienced presently are reminding us that being in community with identifiable relationships is no longer a luxury. During this crisis small groups at Seton are utilizing technology to fellowship and encourage one another. When we can see one another again, I encourage each of us to seek out small group expressions where we can know and be known by others. Jesus promised His Presence would be there!
The third lesson in the School of the Holy Spirit, I believe, is this: we have a unique if not historical opportunity to give witness to Jesus Christ and to share our Faith with others. The Holy Spirit is “tenderizing” the hearts of many throughout the world in this difficult time. There may not be a better opportunity in our lifetime to proclaim Jesus Christ. If this is intimidating to you, you are not alone. Learning to share our faith takes a certain preparation. Just as schools are preparing now their options of opening in the fall, so we too should prepare ourselves to give a witness to those the Lord will bring our way. “ in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15 New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE).
At St. Elizabeth Seton, we will be hosting a School of Evangelization, beginning in September, by the St. Paul Evangelization Institute. This year long course will equip you with the ability to share your faith. You will be empowered and changed into the man and woman Jesus wants you to be-His witnesses! For more information on this exciting opportunity, click here.
May we join together and fully attend to the School of the Holy Spirit. Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord; his appearing is as sure as the dawn; he will come to us like the showers, like the spring rains that water the earth. (Hosea 6:3 NRSVCE).