Third Sunday of Advent [B]

 


THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT [B]


The Holy Spirit receives honorable mention this weekend, being referenced within each of the three readings. In the Isaiah passage we learn something about what the Spirit has to offer in the way of blessings and/or benefits (61:1-3). We hear about the Spirit’s availability as we listen to this message about baptism in John chapter one (John 1:33). And then in our epistle, St. Paul issues a warning: be careful not to stifle or suppress the Holy Spirit (1st Thess. 5:19). 


What does he mean by this? How should we understand this warning? Imagine trying to function with a net having been draped over you. Kirk Douglas finds himself caught within a net as he competes in the arena. Perhaps you recall that scene from the 1960 production, Spartacus. He has chosen a gladius and a shield for himself. Meanwhile, his opponent has selected the trident and the net. Kirk Douglas survives the ordeal—but just barely. The net posed a considerable problem for him. It impeded him. It was an impairment. 


Paul’s point is that we sometimes impede the Holy Spirit. We entangle the Spirit by juggling an excessive number of influences. The Spirit’s movements become restricted, because we are paying attention to these rival influences. Essentially, it’s as if we are casting a net upon the Third Person of the Trinity. We wouldn’t do this intentionally. Yet, whether intentional or whether unintentional, either way, we are impeding the functioning ability of the Spirit. 


It’s not as if the Spirit is in danger of being vanquished. Kirk Douglas came very close to being vanquished in that 1960 film. From a scriptural standpoint, we don’t have to worry about the welfare of the Holy Spirit. But we do have to worry about ourselves. An entangled Spirit will produce little or no advantage. Monitor the influences that have entered into your way of life. Have the willingness to reduce those influences, so that the Spirit can be granted some freedom of movement. Otherwise, if we leave the Spirit impaired, we do so…to our own detriment. 

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