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Pat Collins C. M , a well known author and retreat giver based at All Hallows in Dublin, calls on Christians, particularly those who have been touched by the Charismatic Renewal, to challenge the secularist assumptions in the world and in the Church by their demonstrating their dependence on the power of the Holy Spirit working in their lives.
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Power
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About a year ago I travelled to the UTV studios in Belfast to participate in a discussion on the existence or non-existence of the devil. For the sake of balance the producers tried, in typical fashion, to ensure that the participants represented three different world views. Briefly put, world-views are conscious and unconscious assumptions that govern our interpretation of reality. The programme included a psychiatrist, a former Catholic, who argued in naturalistic terms that there was neither God, the devil, or the supernatural realm. She explained them away, in psychological terms, as nothing other than projections of the human mind. There was a liberal Christian, the head of a Protestant theological college in Belfast, who accepted the existence of God, but explained away the devil as a mere myth that shouldn't be understood in literal, objective terms. Satan, he said, was another word for the negative effects of the dark side of the unconscious mind and the unjust structures of society. For my part, I tried to affirm the existence of a supernatural realm, including the malevolent influence of the devil and evil spirits and, therefore, the relevance of deliverance and exorcism. In this article I want to suggest that, in our post-modem and secularized
world, Christians in general, and members of the Charismatic Movement
in particular, are called to be credible witnesses to the reality
of the supernatural. Surely, Pope John XXIII had this in mind when
he prayed, prior to Vatican II, "Lord, renew your wonders in
our day, as by a new Pentecost," i.e. in the form of supernatural
signs. When I was baptized in the Spirit and received a number of the gifts
of the Spirit, I moved from my liberal, reductionist world-view, to
a more supernatural one. In some ways I resented this transformation.
I feared that I would be dismissed by many of my well educated colleagues
as being intellectually naive and fundamentalist, Over the years whenever
I have felt under attack for my beliefs, I have reassured myself with
the thought that believers are called to be fools for Christ's sake
(Cf 1. Cor 4. 10), also it has been a small price to pay for this
access to the power and aid of the Holy Spirit that I might have been
unaware of otherwise. This has helped me many times in my priestly
ministry.
As I began reading the Eucharistic prayer something happened. I became palpably aware of a mysterious Presence. I was so moved by this reassuring experience that, for a brief time, I couldn't speak. During this embarrassing pause I was amazed to find that there was an uncanny silence in the Church. There wasn't a sound. No one was coughing, shuffling or rustling paper. Evidently everyone was aware of the Presence. When I regained my composure, I said, "I'm sure that you can all sense it. The Holy Spirit has come upon all of us, the Risen Lord is here!" As I continued the mass the anointed sense of Presence deepened. It was one of the most wonderful supernatural experiences of my life. What a paradox! When I was at my lowest ebb from a human point of
view, I was granted one of the greatest blessings of my priestly life.
It taught me a number of things. If we are seeking to follow God's
will there is no need to be afraid, for we discover that Subsequently, I have referred to experiences like this, as crucifixion points of poweriessness. They are sacred moments of abject inner neediness when we have to depend, absolutely, upon the supernatural power and promises of God. No wonder Jesus advocated a life of material poverty and the central importance of petitionary prayer. For instance, on one occasion he asked the disciples: "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?" Lk 22:35. As long as we prayerfully depend upon the providence and provision of God, even to the point of healings and miracles, we modern day disciples, like those in the New Testament, will lack nothing. Nowadays when I face crucifixion points of poweriessness, instead of anxiously wrestling with my fears, I try nestling in the Lord through faith. Here are a few examples:
Whenever we are faced with situations like these, we are being invited
to rely on God's supernatural help in accordance with whatever scripture
promises seem relevant, To this end, we can ask God to guide our prayers,
if necessary, by a prophetic word of knowledge.
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I
remember one very significant occasion 20 years ago, when a number
of us were conducting a parish mission in Dublin. I wasn't feeling
well at the time. On one of the days I was relieved to find that I
was neither appointed preacher or celebrant for that night. However,
a few moments before the Eucharist was due to start, I was asked to
celebrate the mass. I can recall that when I came forward to say the
offertory prayers a profound feeling of powerlessness and emptiness
came over me. Placing my hands on the altar, I said a quiet prayer.
"Lord I am at the end of my tether. I am completely drained.
I have nothing to offer. How can I lead your people in celebration?
Unless you help me, my efforts will be in vain."