Using Charisms yet being normal. - Called to a Normal Christian life - 3 (BJRE024)
Using Charisms yet being normal. - Called to a Normal Christian life - 3
Normal Christian Life - be ordinary, but with a difference - 3
(By Dr. Edward Edezhath - Published in Kairos magazine in 2020)
The First Line group used to gather at Snehanilayam, near Ernakulam city. Every month, about two dozen of us, young and not so young, from different parts of Kerala, would come together for some joyful fellowship and mutual edification. After the weekend, we would go back with ideas and plans for animating youth groups to which we belonged.
Those days were when the Charismatic Renewal was fast spreading, and so many ‘preachers’ were emerging on the horizon. Many of them had their ‘holy airs’ and were very serious and solemn in all that they did. In their dressing, how they spoke, and related with the others, these spiritual leaders showed some marked difference. But our First Line group was a veritable ‘leveler,’ making many pompous ones into smiling and playful ordinary people. Ever since, the movement has emphasized appearing normal, ordinary, and simple, yet with some depth and difference.
Using charisms yet being normal
“In praying in tongues, there is a kindergarten level, primary stage, secondary, and high school levels,” Fr Marcelino used to instruct us. He used to be an attentive mentor and teacher for those of us who were active in the late 1970’s. During most of our gatherings, he would organize a quick practice session for praying and singing in the Spirit: “Those of you who want to pray in tongues, please gather in the chapel during the next tea break,” he would announce. And there, along with some of us, Father would introduce youth to this simple and joyful form of praying from the heart in any sound or song that the Spirit gave.
People get introduced to praying and singing in the Spirit in a Charismatic Retreat and continue using this gift in their personal lives and in groups. Father used to tell us that when you listen to people praying, you can easily understand if they are at the initial level of using this gift or have progressed in maturity. Early in their walk, they would be quite noisy and often irritating to the listeners. But if properly guided, this gift can grow into a very joyful and pleasing prayer, helping many to sing in a melodious and enjoyable way. This is all about ‘making a joyful noise to the Lord’ (Ps 98:4; 100:1; 66:1, etc.), because ‘God is not a God of confusion’ (1Cor 14:33)
I experience that this growth continuum evolving into a joyful pattern is true not only of the charism of tongues but of every other. ‘Charism’ means a gift; here, it means a ‘gift’ or ability one receives from the Holy Spirit. With the coming of Charismatic Renewal, there was the rise and popularity of many gifts of the Spirit, which are very often mentioned in the Bible (1 Cor 12, 14; Ro 12; Eph 4:7-12; etc.) and seen in the life of many saints. So, in charismatic circles, we hear of gifts of physical healing, emotional healing, receiving messages through prophesies or visions, gifts of knowledge and discernment, gift of tongues, and so on.
When a person first comes and witnesses these gifts in operation, he or she is often quite baffled and touched by certain external aspects. So, people become quite showy in the initial phases of using these charisms. ‘An empty vessel makes the most noise.’ Gradually, they realize that for the Spirit to work, we needn’t put in too much of an external show. Instead, we bear the fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22) and be gentle and pleasing as ‘still waters run deep.’ Over the years in the Charismatic Renewal, I have seen many experienced leaders praying for healing gently and joyfully, and people get deeply moved or healed.
Aim for a happy balance.
“You all are charismatic leaders, yet quite simple and normal,” this priest told us during lunch break, “you are committed, yet not crazy.” We were at this recording studio for three days, and the priest in charge of the center was closely observing us. First, he criticized some aspects of the Charismatic renewal, but then we didn’t react. Slowly, many of us shared what each of us was doing by way of Christian witness, and on the third day, he turned into a good friend of Jesus Youth.
Father’s main difficulty with the Renewal was the showy and shallow way of praying and using gifts. Hearing his positive remarks, I wondered if I should feel happy or sad. If he means that we are not using charismatic gifts, it is very bad, but if his reference is to balance, humility, and joyfulness, then it is very positive.
Spirit-gifted charisms are vital for Christian missions. As the Second Vatical Council states, “he also distributes special graces among the faithful of every rank. By these gifts, he makes them fit and ready to undertake various tasks and offices for the renewal and building up of the Church” (LG, 12). Using of charisms is essential for a Jesus Youth to be in tune with God’s plan and carry out the divine task of building the Kingdom. Or else we would be just doing some worldly project. But the same document urges for a balance, “Extraordinary gifts are not to be rashly desired, nor is it from them that the fruits of apostolic labors are to be presumptuously expected.”
In his humorous way, Fr Marcelino would say, “I never realized there is chapter 13 between 12 and 14.” The latter two chapters of First Corinthians talk a lot about charisms, but the chapter between 13 is about love and charity. Surely, forgetting not to use the wonderful gifts of the Spirit but using them in a humble, normal, and joyful manner should be the test of maturity in the Jesus Youth movement.
Topics
Charisms in a Prayer Group
Leading a prayer group
Community building
Tongues
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