Who Speaks for the Holy Spirit?

That question came to mind when I read about the furor caused by Kansas City Chiefs kicker, Harrison Butker's commencement speech at Benedictine College in Atchison, KY, last weekend. Curious, I watched replays of the speech as Butker urged female grads to see marriage/homemaking as their primary calling, slammed President Biden's faith, critiqued parish priests for having lay friendships, denounced bishops for neglecting their sacramental duties during Covid, promoted the TML (the traditional Latin mass) and reproved those adhering to what he called "degenerative" values, too numerous to mention here. While I had difficulty making it beyond the first five minutes of the speech, his words evidently resonated with his audience as Butker received a standing ovation for his efforts. Clearly, he — and they — believed he was speaking for God.

Was he?

Did he speak eloquently? Yes.

Were some points spiritually on target? Yes.

Did the Holy Spirit shine through? Mostly not.

Personally, my take is that God doesn't speak through opinionated individuals who are trying to push their agenda at the wrong time and in the wrong place. A college graduation ceremony in 2024 is not the occasion to urge graduates to return to the values of the 1950's, even if those values have worked for his family; nor is it appropriate to use access to the podium as an opportunity for political jabs and divisive references to minority communities.

So back to my first question: The Catholic Church's current synodal process has invited participation from members across the globe. In the spirit of social justice and inclusion, everyone, everywhere, has been invited to share their hopes, dreams, and concerns so that the church to which they belong can reflect not only the hierarchy but also the marginalized and voiceless, in the interests of communion, participation and mission. As a driving presence in this process, the Holy Spirit is less likely to speak through a lone voice at a college podium, than through the countless voices that have expressed the desire to form a church based on the teachings and vision of Jesus — a sanctuary of Love in which we know ourselves to be brothers and sisters in Christ, formed by Love and for Love.

Who speaks for the Holy Spirit?