Although Baxter is older now and has mellowed a lot, he hasn’t lost his spirit. He still can run through the house like a maniac for no clear reason at times. He can still get excited when another cat comes onto his territory. He fetches treats like they are hockey pucks, and once he scores with a morsel in his mouth, runs back for more. He can jump when he wants to get something, roll on his back and flip over in a second, and resist moving when he doesn’t want to get into his carrier. At thirteen plus years, Baxter still has a lot of life left in him. He is young at heart.
How are our hearts? Are they full of life and spirit, or have they grown dull and lethargic through the years? Are we just going through the motions at living, or do we still find excitement and interest in certain things? Do we take initiative to make situations better for ourselves and others? Do we reach out to connect to new people or reconnect to old friends? Do we look for something different in our lives to challenge us and call us to further growth? Do we expect and look for new ideas, relationships or commitments to keep us fresh and lively?
These are important questions for us to consider if God is to continue His work with us. Pentecost is the feast of the Holy Spirit filling the lives of the disciples. We cannot claim to live in God’s Spirit if we are lifeless and dull, stodgy and removed from others. The account of the first Pentecost was a scene of excitement where people were engaging strangers for the first time with a message that was new and offered promise for better lives to those who accepted it. There was a contagious energy that was communicated when the first disciples began to reach about the Lord Jesus. This power of the Spirit won over others as much as the content of what they had to say. People want to feel that they are part of a winning team, where everyone strives for a common purpose and a better condition for all. That takes enthusiasm for the mission at hand, and a heart full of pride and resolve to carry it forward no matter what the obstacles may be. We saw this in the first disciples after Pentecost. Do others see it in us when we talk about our faith, work for our parish community, and invite others to join us?
Age is not a reason to be lifeless, unimaginative and apathetic. While our physical energy may be deceased, our spirits should be greater and more fearless because we have lived longer in Christ’s Spirit and learned more of its wisdom and depth. We don’t just burn up the energy of the Spirit as mature Christians. We harness it for good by caring for other’s needs and reaching out to those searching for God with a supporting hand. We walk with others in the Spirit and don’t pretend to be ahead of them. We know we don’t have all the answers to life’s mysteries, but we do have a way to live in them with a confidence in God to show us the way. These are signs of a lively, mature faith fed by Christ’s Spirit.
Baxter may take a few more naps and measure his steps more carefully now, but the old boy still has a lot of life in him. So do we-the life of the Spirit. Christ promised it and bestowed it on His disciples. We have to call it forth, dust it off, and put it to work for others. Let’s get moving!
