Bible Reading: Acts 2:1-6,12
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?"
A Reflection
I don’t think life ever works out as we imagine. We have hopes and expectations, but the reality is often very different. We start a relationship with little or no idea how it will develop. We enter into marriage not knowing how the years will unfold. We start a job or a new career not really knowing how we will get on or where it will lead. We plan for a family unaware of the joys and sadness that may follow.
And yet we start relationships, we start careers, we marry, and we plan for families.
I wonder how the disciples felt on the day of Pentecost. Jesus had given them a commission to take the Gospel to all nations but told them to wait for the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
He had previously told them he would send them his Holy Spirit who would be their comforter and who would lead them into all truth.
And then the Holy Spirit came ‘like the blowing of a violent wind’ and in ‘what seemed like tongues of fire’. And then they began to speak in other tongues.
Was this what they expected? Is this how they imagined it?
Certainly it wasn’t what the crowds expected; they were amazed and perplexed and wondered ‘What does this mean?’
Praying ‘Come Holy Spirit’ is a step into the unknown, but it was what got the disciples out from behind locked doors, it was what caused three thousand people to become believers on the day of Pentecost, and it was what gave birth to the Christian Church.
Can you pray ‘Come, Holy Spirit’ for yourself today, and trust in our Heavenly Father who only gives good gifts?
Can you pray ‘Come, Holy Spirit’ for the churches in our benefice, and trust in Jesus who said, ‘I will build my church?
A Prayer
Come, Holy Spirit, fill my life with your grace and with your power.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the church with your grace and with your power.
Amen
Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God
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