Holy Restlessness

Come to me, all you who are weary, and I will give you... restlessness?

The 50 days of Easter will conclude this Sunday with the celebration of Pentecost. Throughout this season, we've been reading from the Acts of the Apostles and encountering people like Saint Paul. In his excellent biography of Paul, N.T. Wright writes:

"The first thing, coming at us throughout his story, is his sheer energy. We feel it pulsing through the letters. We watch as he responds to violence in one city by going straight on to the next one and saying and doing the same things. He is the kind of person to whom people say, ‘Don’t you ever sleep?’"

We can often talk about the peace of mind that we experience when we encounter God or develop a regular prayer practice. That's all true and good, but it's not the whole story. Saint Paul demonstrates what Pope Francis calls a "holy and beautiful restlessness." Jesuits have used the language of "holy boldness" and "apostolic aggressivity." 

Christ wants to give rest to all who are weary and carrying heavy burdens (Matt 11:28), but that doesn't mean we should stay stuck in place. 

The Holy Spirit gives us rest — and ought to make us restless.