for Sunday, May 24, 2015, Pentecost Yr B, Readings: Acts 2:1-21, Ps 104:25-35, 37; Romans 8:22-27, John 15: 26-27; 16:4b-15
When the day of Pentecost had come, the disciples were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house...Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. [Acts 2:1-4]
On the Jewish calendar, this ancient feast is Shavuot and follows 50 days after Passover. It celebrates the giving of the Law to Moses on Mt. Sinai. It's possibly another reason the disciples were gathered together in addition to waiting for the sign promised by the resurrected Jesus 10 days before in his last in-person teachings. Given that, in the previous month and a half, they had experienced the arrest and violent execution of Jesus, his resurrection, then his ascension, and their own grief and fear at these inexplicable turn of events, here they are gathered together again without quite knowing what was next or when. It may well have been comforting to be together in the familiar structure of this ancient feast. And then suddenly a sound like a violent wind and tongues of fire resting on them gave them more than good reason to be bewildered, astonished, and amazed!
Also known as the Birthday of the Church, Pentecost marks the official beginning of the ministry of the Apostles beyond their local area and into the whole world. The descent of the Holy Spirit in the form of tongues of fire imbued them, and each of us by extension, with extra-ordinary gifts to bring the message of Christ to everyone.
This day is known as Whitsun/Whitsunday in Ireland and the UK, a descendant of a Gaelic celebration of medieval or perhaps even more ancient times.
Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to Leeosophy@gmail.com. All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way.
Fifty Days after Easter,
Ten Days after the Ascension
comes Pentecost,
the feast of Holy Spirit:
When the day of Pentecost had come, the disciples were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house...Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. [Acts 2:1-4]
On the Jewish calendar, this ancient feast is Shavuot and follows 50 days after Passover. It celebrates the giving of the Law to Moses on Mt. Sinai. It's possibly another reason the disciples were gathered together in addition to waiting for the sign promised by the resurrected Jesus 10 days before in his last in-person teachings. Given that, in the previous month and a half, they had experienced the arrest and violent execution of Jesus, his resurrection, then his ascension, and their own grief and fear at these inexplicable turn of events, here they are gathered together again without quite knowing what was next or when. It may well have been comforting to be together in the familiar structure of this ancient feast. And then suddenly a sound like a violent wind and tongues of fire resting on them gave them more than good reason to be bewildered, astonished, and amazed!
Today it may be easy for us to be blasé, to know the story too well, to
be immune to the thrill and amazement. Yet today is an excellent time to heed
the words of Paul when he reminds us that we
do not know how to pray as we ought but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs
too deep for words. [Romans 8:26b] Peter reminds us in the words of the
prophet Joel, that when Christ returns, everyone
who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. [Acts 2:21]
Today
is the day to stop knowing the story. Today is the day to START feeling the
Spirit – be amazed and astonished and bewildered! We have the Spirit within us, and God’s grace,
and the love and Salvation of Christ for the wanting of it! Let us rejoice and
be glad and joy-filled, and alive
in it! After all, what else is faith for?
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader:
~ Great and
Glorious LORD our God, bewilder our sense of the ordinary, and help us also to
be amazed and astonished on this day. Let us experience again, the wonder and
joy of a living and active faith, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Spirit of Highest Truth and Hope
RESPONSE: Fall afresh on us
~ Great and
Glorious LORD our God, with the Holy Spirit upon us, let us be emboldened to
stand before the leaders of this world, our nation, and our community, with the
substance and grace to encourage the renewal of this earth and its people. We pray
especially for: add your own petitions.
Spirit of Highest Truth and Hope
Fall
afresh on us
~
Great and Glorious LORD our God, lighten the burden of pain for those who are
weakened in body, spirit, and soul. Let their hearts be filled with the peace
of knowing that You hear their every prayer. We now join our voices to pray
aloud for those in need…
Spirit of Highest Truth and Hope
Fall
afresh on us
~ Great and
Glorious LORD our God, grant peace to all who have hope in the unseen, even in
the midst of grief. Help us all to wait in faithful patience to join our loved
ones who now live again in the glory of Your highest heaven. We pray especially
for:
Spirit of Highest Truth and Hope
Fall
afresh on us
~ Great and
Glorious LORD our God, we pause in
this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or
silently…
Spirit of Highest Truth and Hope
Fall
afresh on us
~ Great and
Glorious LORD our God, as the Spirit descends upon us, quicken the hearts and
minds of all who lead us in Your Church, so that they may energize and excite
our life in faith within the Church, and through all of every-day life. We pray
especially for:
Spirit of Highest Truth and Hope
Fall
afresh on us
The Celebrant adds: Holy and Living God, You above all,
desire our redemption and salvation, and yet all of Creation groans as if in
labor. To us this day You send the Spirit to intercede, to make us strong where
we are weak, to fill us with the fire of faith, and to know that everyone who calls on the name of the
Lord shall be saved. Our joyful and unending prayers ascend to Jesus our Christ
and the Holy Spirit our Advocate, who together with You, live as One God, now
and forever. Amen.
This day is known as Whitsun/Whitsunday in Ireland and the UK, a descendant of a Gaelic celebration of medieval or perhaps even more ancient times.
Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to Leeosophy@gmail.com. All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way.
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