Introduction
There was a time when I did not give any thought to the Holy Spirit, even though I had been confirmed and I had been a sponsor for young people who had asked me to take on that role. And when I conducted research into some religious education teachers’ personal constructs of revelation, I realised that I wasn’t alone in not giving the Holy Spirit a place in my faith. By that time, though, my eyes had been opened, thanks to the opportunity to work on a religious education guidelines project.
I have come to realise that in my faith I have tended to skate on the surface, unaware of the riches below, much like the flat earth image with the elephants below the surface holding the world in balance. How can there be Three Persons in one God without the Holy Spirit?
Curiosity is an amazing gift. Progress is made because people are curious about life in all its forms. Even though the shamrock story associated with St Patrick is often discredited by critics, it makes sense that such an apostolic figure as St Patrick would seek ways of explaining the mystery of the Holy Trinity to people he evangelised.
And so, in this Gospel Enquiry, I find myself wondering about the role played by the Holy Spirit in the lives of those who profess faith in God’s only Son.
The Gospel
Jesus said to Nicodemus: ‘God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life. For God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world, but so that through him the world might be saved. No one who believes in him will be condemned; but whoever refuses to believe is condemned already, because he has refused to believe in the name of God’s only Son.’ (John 3:16-18)
The Enquiry
See
What does this passage tell you about who is in control of what happens in the world? And what does “believe in the name of God’s only Son” mean?
When I was very young, I was taught to bow my head at the name of Jesus. It is now a reflex action. Is this all that is required to be saved by God? Or is there more to be done? What is offered to those who choose to believe in Jesus? What will happen to those who refuse to acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God?
Why did God become man? What does this reveal about God?
Judge
What do you make of this meeting between Nicodemus and Jesus? Where and how does it fit in your worldview?
What is God’s reason for sending his Son? How is God’s action a reflection of your own involvement with the world?
Jesus says “God loved the world so much ….” What is the meaning of the word “love” as it is used here? How do you use the word? Is there any difference between the meaning you give the word and God’s meaning? Why?
Act
What does God want to change in/about the world? Is this how you have viewed the mission of all who follow Jesus? What, then, do you want to change in yourself to align yourself with Jesus?
What small action can you carry out that will contribute to bringing about the change that God wants to see in the world?
Who can you involve in your action, when, where and how often?
Image Source: Sharon Tate Soberon (Creator), “Eternal life” - John 3:16, Flickr, CC BY-ND 2.0