B: 3rd Sun of Advent (13 Dec 2020) - NO LIFETIME IMMUNITY (Isa 61:1-2, 10-11)

When we hear of the word immunity, we associate it immediately with being immunized from the infection of the dreaded COVID-19. While vaccinations are speeding up in all parts of the globe, still these medical procedures do not guarantee a lifetime immunity. As we all know, vaccines have lifespans and varying effects to different people. Hence, even if one is vaccinated, still the possibility of contracting the virus is never out of the picture. What one ought to put in mind is to be on guard always, making sure that one is healthy and has strong antibodies, on top of observing measures on social distancing and hygiene.

The prophet Isaiah today describes a potent dynamo in evangelization, i.e., the knowledge that “the spirit of the Lord is upon me” (Isa 61:1a). God’s spirit, he reckons, is the driving force behind the ministry of “bringing the good news to the poor” (v. 1b), “proclaiming liberty to captives” (v. 1c), “announcing a year of favor” (v. 2a), “comforting those who mourn” (v. 2b), and “bringing gladness instead of mourning” (v. 3a). God’s spirit, in other words, is like a vaccine that when injected on someone emboldens him/her to go out to the streets freely and fill the air with cheers of joy and gladness. Indeed, even Isaiah recognized this himself, prompting him to declare: “I will rejoice heartily in the Lord, my being exults in my God” (v. 10).

However, the Scriptures manifest that while God’s spirit can instantaneously envelop someone to do mighty deeds, it can also depart especially when malicious resolves begin to fill one’s mind. Take, for example, Samson, who could perform superhuman feats by his sheer strength: “[T]he spirit of the Lord rushed upon Samson, and he tore the lion apart barehanded” (Judg 14:6). This phenomenon continued when “[t]he spirit of the Lord rushed upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, where he killed thirty of their men” (Judg 14:19) and when after “the spirit of the Lord rushed upon him: the ropes around his arms became like flax that is consumed by fire … [and] killed a thousand man” (Judg 15:14-15). However, when God’s spirit left him, “the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes” (Judg 16:21). It would only be later when he regained it along with his strength after praying humbly to God: “Strengthen me only this once that I may avenge myself on the Philistines at one blow for my two eyes” (Judg 16:28).

A similar dynamic is described in other divine possessions in the Bible as it can even lead persons to prophesy as what happened to Saul (1 Sm 10:10) and several others (1 Sm 19:20). Yet, this spirit can become evil when the person has malicious intent as what transpired with Abimelech (Judg 9:23) and Saul (1 Sm 18:10). But, when a person develops a strong faith in God, it becomes a robust confession of God’s goodness as exemplified by Job when he uttered: “The spirit of God has made me and the breath of the Almighty give me life” (Job 33:4).

What we can learn from the portrayals of the spirit of God enveloping persons in the Bible is that while it can give tremendous power and energy on someone, but once it departs, especially when the possessed individual walks away from righteousness, it can easily make him/her feeble in times of danger. As we continue to face the perils of the pandemic crisis, may we persevere in seeking always the spirit of God in our daily prayers and making sure that it never departs us by shunning the pollution of our minds with malicious thoughts and intents.

Rex Fortes, CM