Make the Holy Spirit your spirit of the times

This year is my 40th high school class reunion. In some ways it seems just like yesterday. I think back on those times and remember myself as the student body president of my high school.

One of my responsibilities was to enhance and increase "school spirit." School spirit was the emotion and connection that students felt toward their school.

We also talk about the "spirit of the times." It is not some entity and it doesn't have a place where it resides, but it is nevertheless real. Children are particularly vulnerable to the spirit of the times. Parents want to protect their children by sending them to church where they hope their children will be able to learn to say "no" to some things that make up the spirit of the times in order to say "yes" to what God is offering.

There is another spirit called the spirit of revenge. In the past 10 years, there have been many people who are caught up in this spirit. All sides portray this as something honorable and courageous. It is not just suicide bombers who are taken with this spirit. It exists wherever people succumb to the idea that violence is an honorable way to solve problems. The church stands over against this evil spirit and speaks of forgiveness and reconciliation.

There is also the spirit of fear that seems to be so prevalent today. This spirit of fear permeates our society and people are unwilling to trust in institutions that have served us well in the past. The church is the place where people can learn about faith and trust again in the spirit of radical hospitality.

There is another spirit that is radically different from the spirit of the times. This is the Holy Spirit. This spirit gives life, hope and love. It is the spirit that gives faithful people the power to cast out the evil spirits of this world.

It is the spirit that renews us when we are faint and gives us courage to embrace a new day. It is the Spirit of Pentecost that called the church out of its fear and self-centeredness to challenge the world and bring good news to all people. It is in this Holy Spirit that the risen Christ abides with us and brings us together. So with ancient prayer of the church let people say: "Come, Holy Spirit, come!"

• The Rev. Robert Jennings-Teats is co-pastor of Carson City First United Methodist Church.