ALIVE IN THE SPIRIT
By Father Ken Barker, MGL; Modotti Press, Ballan, Victoria. 2013.
Reviewed by Barbara Flynn.
IN 1967, a recognisable outpouring of the Holy Spirit occurred within a small group of Catholics in America thus heralding in an era of new Pentecost generating renewal with a twofold effect.
First, in many countries hundreds of individual lives have undergone dramatic changes because people have personally encountered the Holy Spirit as the life-giving love of God, a specific reality, in an experience called “baptism in the Holy Spirit”.
Second, as a result of adopting a changed perspective on life, many individuals, groups and lay communities have become involved in evangelisation.
Fr Ken asserts in his seventh book, Alive in the Spirit, that the experience of adult conversion in the life of individual baptised members of the Church is foundational to the new evangelisation.
His recent book inspires, teaches and encourages. It provides hope and guidance for those seeking their true purpose in life.
The implications of sacramental baptism to which “baptism in the Spirit”, that is the action of the Holy Spirit in the life of the individual, is clearly connected, is the focus of Fr Ken’s book.
In the early chapters of his memorable book, Fr Ken explains that the infilling grace of the Holy Spirit which occurs during “baptism in the Holy Spirit” is the love of God personally experienced by an individual. The purpose of this grace is for personal sanctification and the upbuilding of the Church and its mission.
Reference is made to the words of three recent popes who urged people to seek the Holy Spirit, as of a new Pentecost in the Church, for renewal of faith.
Notably, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI invited “everyone to rediscover the beauty of being baptised in the Holy Spirit”. (2008)
Some aspects of the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, given in Chapters 3, 4, 5 and 6, which the individual experiences are: an encounter of God’s love as the fire of the Holy Spirit; discovering the truth of their identity in Christ through Scripture and Church teachings; recognising patterns of behaviour and values in their life that call for repentance and change; acceptance of the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, Fr Ken asserts, draws the individual not only into deeper love of God but this love has an active dimension whereby it flows out in service to others.
Fr Ken devotes Chapters 8, 9, 10 and 11 to explaining how perspectives on life are perceptibly changed when a person is alive in the Spirit. The individual has enriched prayer life and ways of expressing intimacy with God.
There is a discovery of the reality of the living presence of God as healer of emotional wounds and deep spiritual needs.
Through reading of Sacred Scripture and sharing the joy of one’s faith and confident trust in God, the individual seeks community with like-minded people.
This book is a necessary tool in the new evangelisation and substantially contributes to one’s understanding of Christian life “as life lived in Christ”.
