Lenten Meditation
March 20, 2011
By M. Thomas
Last week, in Father John’s meditation, we were asked to examine our own Wilderness. He stated that we may feel lost unless we find an opening to regain our bearings. In this week’s Gospel, Nicodemus meets with Jesus under the cover of darkness. Nicodemus had seen many miracles that Jesus performed and had heard him teach. He told Jesus that he truly had to be a man of God to be able to do and say the things he had. Jesus told Nicodemus that unless a person has been reborn of the water and the Spirit, he cannot see the Kingdom of God. Nicodemus was confused by this so Jesus compared it to a baby – a body you can look at and touch. But went on to explain that the person who takes shape within the body is formed by the Spirit – something you cannot see or touch.
It is here that Jesus mentions the wind…how we can’t see it, where it is coming from or where it is going to. But you hear it rustling in the trees. Just like the wind, so it is with a spiritual birth…the person may look the same, but they are changed on the inside. It is also the same with God’s presence. As the wind blows by, you may feel it on your skin or through your hair, but you cannot see it until it moves the trees or grass.
This past weekend, I was lucky enough to see this wind blow through some youth and adults of our Diocese. It is an incredible experience to behold. Happening is a youth led spiritual renewal experience geared toward high school students. I am sure we can all think back to high school and remember that we may have felt a little lost in the wilderness; lost in the social wilderness as well as in the spiritual wilderness. Most of us didn’t feel that wind until after high school, I am sure. But this retreat allows for that wind to blow freely through those who are open to it. For most of the youth this weekend, they had never experienced anything like it before. If they are lucky, they will get to experience it time and time again throughout the rest of their lives. Looking at the faces in the crowd, they all looked the same on Sunday as they did on Friday. However, the spirit on the inside had changed. They truly experienced the love and grace of God. Without that wind, they wouldn’t have been able to see the glory of God’s Kingdom the way they do now.
I hope that each of you have the opportunity in your lifetime to experience the wind of the Holy Spirit. While it may come in small doses, know that if you are open to it, you will feel it. To be changed by the Holy Spirit is a wonderful and awesome gift. During the days of Lent, perhaps you could find yourself being more open to feeling the wind of the Holy Spirit blow through your soul.
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