"" They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to talk in other languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak. But others made fun of the believers, saying, “These people are drunk!"" (Acts 2:4,13)
The nine-day prayer for the gift of the Holy Spirit ended with the solemnity of the Pentecost. Thus on the Sunday of Pentecost many more believers joined in the company of spiritual drunkards. These believers have been going out every evening to fellowship, but I have always suspected them that they were going out to drink wine, because they behaved as drunkards whenever they came back home.
1. DRUNKARDS
When they came back on Pentecost Sunday, they were heavily drunk and relaxed. They laughed without break, sang like rappers, and danced with style, as they staggered from end to end, throwing gifts and greetings on passers-by. But what baffled me was that their eyes were very clear, and that they gave out no smell of wine. So I sought to know the kind of wine they drank - and this is what I found out:
"On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.” Now he was referring here to the Spirit whom those who believed in him were to receive." (John 7:37, 39)
2. SPIRIT
But, still, I was not satisfied. For how could the Holy Spirit make people talk and act like drunkards? So I further investigated and, then, found out that their mannerisms were, actually, the fruits of the Holy Spirit :
"In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." (Galatians 5 :22)
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SPIRITUAL DRUNKARDS DANCING WITH JOY AND STYLE |
So here are the twelve fruits from the Holy Spirit that turn fervent believers to drunkards in the eyes of unbelievers.
(1) Love
The love that comes from the Holy Spirit appears to be foolish and crazy in the eyes of ordinary people. This kind of love for God and for neighbors is totally unconditional. One cares for others more than for oneself, giving up their time, money, effort etc - to God and and to people in need - without expecting anything in return. It looks like drunks buying and sharing wine, indiscriminately, in a beer parlor.
(2) Joy
The joy of spiritual drunkards seems to have no foundation. For they keep on laughing and rejoicing, when there is no apparent reason for that. What is more unnatural is that they continue to laugh even when they have a reason to be crying. This is because they have realized themselves in God and know that every condition is passing away, for eternal life to come.
(3) Peace
These spiritual drunkards are always relaxed, calm and confident - even in the face of danger, trials and torments. This is because their faith and trust in God assures them that God is always on their side, and whatever will happen to them, will happen only according to God's will for them. So they need not worry because God's will is perfect.
(4) Patience
The patience of the spiritual drunkards stretches out without limit. They do as if they have all eternity for them to achieve their own goals. They do not rush after life because they know and trust that God's time is always the best time for every good thing to be done. They keep waiting and praying, even when everyone has lost hope, since they know that hope in God never fails - and so God fulfills them.
(5) Kindness
What the world finds strange, some how, about these spiritual drunkards is their unsollicited goodwill. They are so compassionate, eager and willing to assist others that they are, sometimes, suspected of having hidden selfish motives behind their acts of kindness. This uncommon kindness results from their liberation by the Holy Spirit from the sin of indifference.
(6) Goodness
The goodness of spiritual drunkards is often irritating to the world. That is why some people often mock them for being "more holy than God". This is so because they would refuse to do even what "everybody" is doing - when they know that it will offend God - and notwithstanding that "everyone" holds that "God will understand", because it is the only way out. So they remain, faithful - even when there is no other way out - since they know that God is able to make a way for them where there is no way. That is how they receive their miracles and give glory to God.
(7) Fortitude
Fortitude is being patient and calm in the midst of pain or suffering. It is the character of quiet endurance and of steadfastness in duty in the midst of the attacks of others, or the trials and tribulations of life. This is what the world finds strange in the manners of spiritual drunkards: suffering without complaint, agitation or compromise. But this is how the faithfuls provoked miracles to happen, and the martyrs gave glory to God in heaven.
(8) Gentleness
God has given to us his unending love and infinite mercy so that we may share with others. When we recognize our own faults and weaknesses, then we can show compassion for others. So the spiritual drunkards are, like God, slow to be angry and quick to forgive their offenders. And this forgiveness is the guarantee of our unconditional love for others. The ability to ignore provocation from others, or to respond, rather, with peace is the gentleness that is often taken for weakness by many people. But believers know that it is a fruit of spiritual majurity, which has both its source and its rewards from God.
(9) Faith
Faith is the foundation of Christianity, and it is the characteristic mannerism of spiritual drunkards. For any other thing do is the result of their faith in God. But since the unbelievers can not experience the power of faith, as the believers do, the latter are considered to be daydreamers - until the world can see some external nanifestations or testimonies of God's actions in their lives. But the believers themselves are able to sense God's presence by faith, and without external evidence.
(10) Humility
Humility is one of the greatest signs of spiritual drunkards. It shows that, truly, they have been born of the Spirit to be christlike. They believe and show that any of their successes, blessings and talents are given by God. They are also contented with what they have and do not harbor selfish ambitions. And the humbler they become the higher they rise, such that people can hardly make them out in the streets and even in their workplaces.
(11) Temperance
The spiritual drunkards have the grace of temperance, which enables them to have total control over their desires and appetites. This self-control helps them to exercise moderation in the things they do, the food they eat, and the drinks they take. The grace of temperance also enables them to abstain from any activity or food, either permanently or occasionally, for the purpose of spiritual growth or otherwise. This is why the unbelievers would say "these people are sick" or "are not normal" when they see them not fighting for food and for drinks at social events, or not hanging out with men / women in the neighborhoods.
(12) Chastity
The grace of chastity enables the baptised to give themselves wholy and eternally to Christ, as Lord and Savior. The priests, religious and laity are all required to live in chastity according to the vows of their respective vocations. Therefore, chastity excludes adultery and fornication, for sexual intercourse is holy, only between a married couple. But many do not see the reason why a man should not have girlfriends or woman have boyfriends, before and during a marital relationship. That is why the chastity of spiritual drunkards is but a scandal to the world.
3. CHRIST-LIKE
We, the Christians, are thus called to be christlike; as the scripture says:
"The attitude you should have is the one that Christ Jesus had" (Philippians 2:5)
As the baptised we have to eat these twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit to get drunk. It can be a tough struggle to remain steadfast and live a Christian life amidst all the trends, temptations, and challenges of the world. But this is why we must keep watch in prayers and fellowship, and regularly receive the sacraments of the Church, so as to stay on top the World, in the power of the Holy Spirit. For it is written:
"You will know them by what they do. Thorn bushes do not bear grapes, and briers do not bear figs. A healthy tree bears good fruit, but a poor tree bears bad fruit. So then, you will know the false prophets by what they do." (Matthew 7:16-17, 20)
So, it is by living and acting like Christ, that qualifies us as Christians. As it is written :
"He was treated harshly, but endured it humbly; he never said a word. Like a lamb about to be slaughtered, like a sheep about to be sheared, he never said a word." (Isaiah 53:7)
And, still, another scripture says:
"He was humble and walked the path of obedience all the way to death - his death on the cross." (Philippians 2:8).
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4. PROMOTION
"For this reason God raised him to the highest place above and gave him the name that is greater than any other name." (Philippians 2:9).
So, let us desire and pray to bear these fruits of the Holy Spirit in abundance. For it is by them that we, Christians, are lifted above others to rule in this world, while at the same time, being justified for the kingdom of heaven. For as the scripture says :
"There is no law against such things (fruits of the Holy Spirit) ." (Galatians 5 :23)
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Thought of the Week
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Author: Aying Godman, is a Catechist, Evangelist & Blogger of the Roman Church; Founder of CATHOLIC FRONT MEDIA™
Email: ayinggodman@gmail.com
Bible texts from the Good News Translation (GNT), (c) 1992 American Bible Society
Copyright (c) Aying Godman - Catholic Front Media (2021-2022) All rights reserved.
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