We've Got Spirit
Sometimes I forget I work in a high school.
Earlier this week, before the morning bell rang to signal the start of school, a student came up to me and asked, “Mrs. Tarr, do you want to see this toilet?” Before you cringe too much, know that this student was holding a mini, toy toilet in her palm. Expecting to see brown jelly beans inside this tiny toilet, I said sure. Upon lifting the lid, a small stream of water shot out at my shirt. Of course, my overactive startle reflex made this joke even funnier. I like to think I helped ease the students’ worries about finals that morning. As it turns out, I was number 6 or 7 on the list of toilet victims that morning (iykyk!).
Oh, the spirit of a high schooler…
In addition to squirting toilets, this week has been all about final exams. Today marks day 3, and the final day of exams for our students. Each morning before exams begin, the Commons area has been quite a congregation. Each student speaking in their own teenage tongues about finals:
“I’m so ready to take this final.”
“I’m so not ready to take this final.”
“I can’t study anymore.”
“I just need 10 more minutes.”
“I woke up late and didn't get to study.”
“I can’t wait for finals to be over.”
“Where are we going for lunch today?” (said by those lucky enough to have a car and available cash)
All different comments about the same topic: finals. It’s this semester-end culmination of students that shows you the differences among our high schoolers, and yet, thanks to Pentecost, we know the same Spirit lives within them all.
The Holy Spirit has given each of them, and all of us, the gifts we need to follow the trajectory of who we’re meant to be. Through Baptism and Confirmation, these gifts have been sealed. The Sacraments are an outward sign of this inward reality that lives within each of us.
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit;
there are different forms of service but the same Lord;
there are different workings but the same God
who produces all of them in everyone.
To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit
is given for some benefit.
1 Corinthians 12:4-7
Thank you, Jesus, for the spirit of our high schoolers. Thank you, Jesus, even more for the Holy Spirit dwelling within each of them. We’ve got Spirit!
On this Pentecost weekend, may we give thanks for the Holy Spirit and the gifts within us. May we remember to use our gifts as a way to praise God, the Giver of all good things. Sometimes those gifts are unwrapped in high school as gifts of humor, studying, test taking, and obeying teachers.
Also on this Pentecost weekend, let’s join in prayer for the Holy Spirit to fill and guide our newest shepherds, soon-to-be Father Blake Miller and soon-to-be Father JohnPaul Stedwill! Pray for their families and all those they will shepherd. What a beautiful weekend, Pentecost weekend, for our Church and our Diocese to be breathing life into two new priests.
