THE CHRISTIAN BIRTH PANG AND THE SPIRIT OF CONSOLATION

FRIDAY, Sixth Week of Eastertide

Reflection from Friar Nicholas Okeke, OP

Acts 18:9-18; Ps 47:2-7; Jn 16:20-23

The Christian Birth Pang and the Spirit of Consolation

Our Lord Jesus Christ compared the Christian conversion to a painful birth experience. He used the birth pain that a woman experiences when bringing a child into the world to illustrate the difficulties of spiritual renewal. In the case of a Christian, the woman gives birth to a child which is her new self. We bring forth a new self through our struggles and trials aided by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. It is through his presence and the graces that Jesus makes superabundant in our lives that we can bring forth a new self, recreated in the image of Jesus Christ. “I tell you most solemnly, you will be weeping and wailing while the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turn to joy.” In another sense, the old self is not the mother of the new self. Hence, we cannot say we gave birth to new selves in Jesus Christ. This is because the new self is heavenly, while the old self is earthly; the earthly self cannot have given birth to a new spiritual self. The analogy our Lord used to explain the paradox of this second sense is that of a wheat grain that falls to the ground and dies to bring forth a new grain plant. This is the mystery of our death and birth at the same time. The pain is the reason why we need a consoler. 

Letting go of our natural sinful tendencies and habits is painful. When we decide to make a profession of faith and vow obedience to the will of the Father, our sinful nature starts to revolt and employs various means to safeguard its control of our consciousness and intentionality. Everything in the world that we want to abandon looks so glorious and appealing. The spiritual path seems so difficult, and the life so untenable. The evil one adds his own devices to taunt our decision to serve God and walk the spiritual path. It would seem you are the only one on this path while every person is rejoicing and enjoying their lives. This is what our Lord meant in these words: “I tell you most solemnly, you will be weeping and wailing while the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy.” Because one is about to be born spiritually, the spiritual world looks so dark and unattractive. So many turn back to the world at the onset of this birth pang. But if we persist in this darkness and spiritual path, light gradually dawns, and the spiritual faculties are developed.

We must embark on this path with resolute will and courage to face death instead of going back on the path we have started. This is why the spiritual life is built on the oath or vow made to God, which we must keep renewing, trusting in the grace of God. The first reading tells us that Paul cut his hair at Cenchreae because of the vow he made. The making of vows and their constant renewal bind our wills to God and make us receptive to the graces God gives to us. Paul’s steady walk in the Spirit developed his faculties to hear the voice of the Spirit directing him always. The Christian life is a constant battle. We are conceived and brought to spiritual life in the battle arena. We must train ourselves in spiritual warfare and in the art of living the spiritual life. The Holy Spirit is not an option, his presence is a necessity for our spiritual life and journey. Hence, we must commence a daily spiritual exercise to attune our spirit to his presence and inspirations. His presence makes Christ abide with us always. “You are sad now, but I shall see you again, and your hearts will be full of joy, and that joy no one shall take from you.” This is the joy of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. He is the consoler.

Let us pray: O God who by the light of the Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolation as we walk the path of your holy will. 

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