"Perhaps one takes refuge in safety zones, like the habitual repetition of things one always does, or in the alluring calls of an intimist spirituality or even in a misunderstood sense of the centrality of the liturgy," he said. "They are temptations that disguise themselves as fidelity to tradition, but often, rather than responses to the Spirit, they are reactions to personal dissatisfactions."
But Christians can be certain that relying on the Holy Spirit and focusing on the key truths of the Gospel, they will find "new avenues arise, new paths of creativity open up, with different forms of expression, more eloquent signs and words with new meaning for today's world."
Pope Francis urged Christians to pray for the Holy Spirit's help and guidance each day and not be afraid "because he, who is harmony, always keeps creativity and simplicity together, inspires communion and sends out on mission, opens to diversity and leads back to unity." (end)
I sometimes think that when we image the Holy Spirit as a dove, we deceive ourselves. Doves are passive and sort of like sheep. Are we to be influenced by those white birds (and sheep) as the model for the Holy Spirit – the third person of the Holy Trinity? Groups of doves are a bevy and groups of sheep are called flocks. These are collectives that seem to mindlessly follow each other when moving around or taking flight.
I prefer the Holy Spirit as a raven – a black bird that is a bit more solitary in nature and quite smart. I’ve read: (begin) Because of its black plumage, croaking call, and diet of carrion, the raven is often associated with loss and ill omen. Yet, its symbolism is complex. As a talking bird, the raven also represents prophecy and insight. Ravens in stories often act as psychopomps, connecting the material world with the world of spirits. Here are some high-level raven meanings: intelligence and cunning; survival and adaptability; partnerships and guidance; transformation and opportunity; and prophecy and insights.
The raven is considered one of the smartest birds. In fact, the raven’s brain is among the largest of any bird species. Ravens also happen to possess an extraordinary number of brain cells compared to the brains of other birds. In fact, the raven, along with their cousin the crow, is considered to be, not only one of the smartest birds, but also one the most intelligent animals on the planet, on par with wolves, coyotes, and primates.
In many cultures and spiritual traditions, ravens symbolize intelligence, resourcefulness, spiritual insight, and psychic abilities. Ravens have also been associated with the darker side of life. In popular media, ravens are gothic symbols of the afterlife, death, Halloween, and the occult. (end)
It is unfortunate ravens have been maligned by such poets as Edgard Allan Poe. But that doesn’t haunt me. In fact, we all have shadow or dark sides we fight to master and control. We are all capable of great evil and being captive to addictions, for example. Therefore, the raven as the symbol for the Holy Spirt might force us to recognize our shared dual natures.
Here’s a story that makes this point. An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. “A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy. “It is a terrible fight, and it is between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.”
He continued, “The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you – and inside every other person, too.”
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”
The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.” (end)
What have we eaten recently? Perhaps the raven knows.
Deacon David Pierce
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