For Sunday, June 9, 2019, Pentecost, Yr C, Readings: Acts 2:1-21, Psalm 104:25-35, 37; Romans 8:14-17, John 14:8-17, (25-27)
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...rested on each...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]
You send forth your Spirit, and they are created; and so you renew the face of the earth. [Psalm 104:31]
When we cry, "Abba! Father!" it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ... [Romans 8:13b-17b]
You send forth your Spirit, and they are created; and so you renew the face of the earth. [Psalm 104:31]
When we cry, "Abba! Father!" it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ... [Romans 8:13b-17b]
Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me...If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of Truth...he abides in you, and he will be with you...Peace I leave with you...Do not let your hearts be troubled... [John 14:11a, 15-17]
From a Greek word meaning “fiftieth” is derived the word "Pentecost." In Judaism, Pentecost is the holiday of Shavuot or The Festival of Weeks, celebrated seven weeks, or the 50th day, after the first seder of Passover. It commemorates God's giving of the Law to Moses on Mt. Sinai. In Christianity it is the 50th day, or 7 weeks, after Easter, 10 days after Christ’s Ascension.
The disciples of Jesus,
perhaps still struggling with their understandings of and ongoing roles after
the Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension, gathered together most likely for the comfortably familiar Shavuot remembrance and feast. Then, as we are told, suddenly
from heaven came a rush of violent wind and just as suddenly tongues
of fire appeared above their heads and each one immediately began speaking
in a different language. From that moment they were able to spread the word of
God in Christ across the world with the Holy Spirit granting each voice in each
language the precise interpretation of Christ’s saving words and instructions ~
in context of culture, place, and time, not merely by repetition.
In this fiftieth day from the most recent celebration of Easter, we are again and always called to know that we are filled with the Holy Spirit, called to live into the belief in Christ that we claim or want, and, to keep the Commandments whose giving on Mt. Sinai we may also commemorate on this day as our life principles.
On this Birthday of the Church*, let us claim our heritage as children of God and use the language of love to be as Jesus has shown us to be. Let the teachings of Jesus not only be our governing rules but also our method and practice of daily living. In our times of suffering and our times of joy and in our times of everyday routines, let us breathe deeply and receive the power of the Holy Spirit to untrouble our hearts and fill us with the Peace of Christ, the peace that passes all understanding; the peace of our own spirits that reaches out and gives peace to another’s.
In this fiftieth day from the most recent celebration of Easter, we are again and always called to know that we are filled with the Holy Spirit, called to live into the belief in Christ that we claim or want, and, to keep the Commandments whose giving on Mt. Sinai we may also commemorate on this day as our life principles.
On this Birthday of the Church*, let us claim our heritage as children of God and use the language of love to be as Jesus has shown us to be. Let the teachings of Jesus not only be our governing rules but also our method and practice of daily living. In our times of suffering and our times of joy and in our times of everyday routines, let us breathe deeply and receive the power of the Holy Spirit to untrouble our hearts and fill us with the Peace of Christ, the peace that passes all understanding; the peace of our own spirits that reaches out and gives peace to another’s.
Today is the day to stop merely
knowing the story. Today is the day to start feeling the Spirit – to be
amazed and astonished! We have the Spirit within us and
God’s grace and the love and Salvation of Christ for just the wanting of it. Let us
rejoice and be glad and joy-filled, and alive in it! After
all, what else is faith, and this life, for?
*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 broader world. The descent of the Holy Spirit in the form of tongues
of fire imbued them, and each of us by extension, with extraordinary gifts to
bring the message of Jesus by word and example into all facets and phases of our
Christian life.
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ Abba,
Redeemer, Advocate, awaken us again to the fire of Your Spirit and the Peace of
Christ within us. Untrouble our hearts that we may feel the rush of heavenly
breath, rejoice in Your Presence, and bless You with our souls.
Spirit
of the Living God
RESPONSE:
Fall afresh on us
~ Abba, Redeemer, Advocate, inspire us to speak in the language
of Your Truth to the leaders of this Earth, this Country, and this Community,
as the voices of those crying in the wilderness of poverty, war, intolerance,
and injustice. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Spirit
of the Living God
Fall
afresh on us
~ Abba, Redeemer, Advocate, cool
the fevers of critical illness, despair, or deprivation of those in desperate
need, and energize all who give them care and support. We now join our voices
to pray aloud for those in need…
Spirit
of the Living God
Fall
afresh on us
~ Abba, Redeemer, Advocate, infuse
Your care and comfort into the hearts of the mournful, as the souls of all who
have reached the shores of Heaven, now rise and dance in Your everlasting joy
and glory. We pray especially for:
Spirit
of the Living God
Fall
afresh on us
~ Abba, Redeemer, Advocate,
we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt
intentions and petitions, aloud or silently… add your own petitions
Spirit
of the Living God
Fall
afresh on us
~ Abba, Redeemer, Advocate, amplify our Spirit-given abilities,
that together with those we choose to lead us in Your Church, we may be
steadfast in our journey and the actions of our lives sing as praise to
the Lord, our God. We pray
especially for: add your own petitions
Spirit
of the Living God
Fall
afresh on us
The Celebrant adds: God
All-Knowing, guide the Spirit of Pentecost to set our souls ablaze once again,
that we may keep Your commandments, do greater works, and live as joint heirs
of Your eternal kingdom. We ask through Jesus, our Redeemer Christ, and the
Holy Spirit, the Sacred Fire in our souls, who together with You reign as One
God, now and for eternity. Amen.
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