Too often, this phrase is used in a way that is too pious, too over-charged with charismatic fervor, or too theologically abstract to have much meaning for ordinary people. It may well summarize Christian life, but it can also be little more than a very vague platitude. What does it mean “to live in the Spirit?”
The Holy Spirit, as classically defined in theology, is “the love between the God and Christ, the Father and the Son.”
St. Paul speaks candidly telling us that, if in our lives there is “lewd conduct, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, bickering, jealousy, outbursts of rage, selfish rivalries, dissensions, factionalism, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and the like,” then we are not living in the spirit, pure and simple. However, we are living in the spirit when, in our lives, there is “charity, joy, peace, patience, endurance, kindness, generosity, faith, mildness, and chastity.” (Galatians 5:19-22)
This is a valuable insight because, if we take Paul’s words seriously, we can never delude ourselves into identifying true life in the Spirit with what it is so often confused with, namely, false piety and (in pious circles) over-privatized sentiment and confrontation out of hurt, paranoia, and narrow loyalties (in both liberal and conservative circles). When the fruits of the Spirit are absent, regardless of how spiritually confident and self-righteous we might feel or how right our cause might seem, then the Spirit too is absent.
Let me help you understand and be clear about “living in the spirit.” with a real true story of parental love during our pandemic.
A dad works as an aide for a special school that cares for physically challenged children. The kids cannot wear masks because of their disabilities. He is in a room with his coworkers who are mandated to wear masks but he has no idea if they have been vaccinated and boosted. He shared that both he and his wife are vaccinated and boosted because they have a six-year old daughter at home and she is not yet eligible to receive the vaccine. He worse fear is that he could give his daughter Covid and she dies from the virus
His coworkers have not shared if they have been vaccinated and he worries if he could get the virus from them. The relationship of this school staff is that teachers, therapists, aides and staff take pride in caring for these fragile and vulnerable children. Their dedication and vocation to service makes this community more joyful, peaceful, patient and willing to do anything to make their children feel accepted and safe.
The atmosphere of this workplace creates a climate of charity, joy, peace and patience.
The invitation to get vaccinated and boosted has nothing to do with individual conscious, personal freedom, or mandates, but to “live in the spirit” where people focus their energy on bringing charity, peace and patience. This father is grateful to work in this environment and hopes that his coworkers have made the decision to get vaccinated to keep all the children at their school safe and keep his daughter out of harms way.
Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends and especially, all the children of the world, that we choose to “live in the spirit” that keeps them safe from any virus and harm. Give us the Spirit to make the decision to get vaccinated and boosted out of charity and gratitude that will lead us all out of this pandemic and into a world of joy, peace, patience and goodness.
