Saying Yes to God’s Gifts

High on a hilltop overlooking the beautiful city of Santa Barbara there lived a wise old many whom people considered a sage. Legend has it that he could answer any question posed to him.

 

Two local boys decided they could deceive the old man and trip him up. Figuring they had a plan that was foolproof, the boys caught a small bird and headed for the mountaintop. As they approached the sage, one of the boys cupped the bird in his hands, which he held behind his back.

 

“Wise old man,” he posed, “can you tell me if this bird in my hands is alive or dead?”

 

The old many sized up the two boys, and without hesitation, answered, “My boy, if I tell you that the bird is alive, you will close your hands and crush the bird to death. And if I say that the bird is dead, you will open your hands and let it fly away.” He continued, “You see, boy, in your hands you hold the power over life and death. And it’s an awesome responsibility.”

 

He then went on to day, “In your hands you hold the seeds of failure, or the potential for success. Your hands are very capable, but they must be used for the right things. They must be used to reap rewards that you are capable of attaining.”

 

I use this story today because the ancient symbol used for the Holy Spirit was a dove. In the story of Jesus’ baptism, for example, we read, “The skies opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in visible form like a dove. A voice from heaven was heard to say: ‘You are my beloved Son. On you my favor rests.’”

 

We believe that at our own baptism, something similar happened. God called us each by name, declaring, “You are my beloved son/daughter. On you my favor rests.” And we believe further that in Confirmation the gifts of the Holy Spirit are poured forth upon us once again, strengthening us so that we can live a life worthy of a child of God.

 

It is interesting to note that, throughout the Bible, whenever people cooperated with the will of God, great things could happen. For example, when Mary was asked if she would consent to be the mother of God’s Son, she replied, “I am the maidservant of the Lord. May it be done to me as you say.” And with that, the Holy Spirit came upon her and Jesus was conceived in her womb.

 

If you look at the story of the first disciples, we find the same thing. If the people were open and cooperated with God’s will, great things would happen. When they didn’t, there was often disaster. For instance, in the story of Peter walking on water, when Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he could actually walk on the waters of the sea. But when he looked at the waves and felt overwhelmed by danger, he started to drown. Later on when he boasted that he would never deny the Lord, he failed miserably and did so three times.

 

After the crucifixion of Jesus, the disciples were afraid, lest they face the same fate. They were locked up in a room of fear. But when the Holy Spirit came upon them, they proclaimed the faith with courage and zeal.

 

The Holy Spirit has been poured into our very being. But what happens then is much like the story of the bird in the boy’s hands. It’s as if God has pumped us full of gas, but it’s up to us to start the engine. We are gifted by God, but what we do with those gifts is up to us. God never forces himself on anyone. Mary had to say yes. Peter and Andrew, James and John, had to physically abandon their fishing nets and agree to follow.

 

So Pentecost is powerful with the very power of God. But it’s not automatic. It still takes faith, determination, courage and a whole lot of love. God’s love is there, but it is never forced; we have to respond to it. Just as the father of the prodigal son let the boy go so that he could test his freedom, so the son had to decide for himself whether or not he would return to his father.

 

As the wise old man said to the boys on that mountain, “In your hands you hold the seeds of failure, or the potential for success. Your hands are very capable, but they must be used for the right things. They must be used to reap rewards that you are capable of attaining.”

 

Today’s Feast celebrates the many ways in which we are gifted by God. It invites us to reflect on our gifts and to ask ourselves: How well am I using my gifts? Do I use them selfishly, thinking only of myself, or do I use my gifts for others? God’s gifts are not given just once, as if poured out in baptism or confirmation and then shut off. At different stages of life we need different gifts. The gifts of God’s Spirit keep flowing, but we have to open ourselves to them. God’s love never ceases. Each day we can discover it anew. If only, like Mary and Peter and the others we say Yes!

 

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