The Pastor’s Reflections
We have arrived at Pentecost – the exclamation point that ends our sevenweek celebration of Easter. During those weeks, many scripture passages were given to us for our prayerful contemplation.
We listened to the account of the two disciples who came to recognize Jesus when he broke bread with them. We witnessed Thomas abandon his disbelief to acknowledge Jesus as his personal Lord and God. We heard Jesus promise us that he would be our shepherd never failing to care for us. He revealed his profound connection with us when he told us that he was the vine and we were the branches. He went on to call us his friends and special confidants. He consecrated us and commissioned us to continue the work he began. Finally, he promised to send us the Spirit of truth.
In preparation for the Spirit’s anointing today I invite you to, first and foremost, open your hearts and minds to the peace Jesus offers us. He greets us with the same greeting he extended to the apostles, Shalom. It’s the peace that rests in the heart of God – the peace that banishes fear – the peace that gives power to our witness. It’s the peace that opens our ears to the meaning of the scriptures.
“When the time of Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were.” This is the Ruah Yahweh – the divine breath that swept over the waters of chaos making the land dry ready for life. This is the whirlwind that lifted Elijah to heaven. This is the strong east wind that
parted the Red Sea. This is the warm, moist breath that Jesus breathed on the disciples on the day of his resurrection.
“Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them.” This is the fire of the burning bush from which God revealed the divine name, “I AM.” This is the pillar of fire that led the people of Israel through the desert. This is the refiner’s fire that would purify the world. This is the lamp put on the lamp stand to bring light to all in the house.
“And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.” Recreated, purified, their hearts opened to the word of God, the Spirit destroyed the barriers preventing them from witnessing to the resurrected Lord.
PRAYER
Loving Father, gathered in your name
we implore you drive all our fears from us.
Pour your holy peace into our hearts.
Purify us and speak your name to us from the eternal fire of your love.
Loosen our tongues that we might speak only your word
that our word may heal as his healed that our word may speak the truth as he did.
May we bring your fire to the earth.
