The Day of Pentecost
Philip said to Jesus, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, `Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.
"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, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you."
"I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid." John 14:8-17,25-27
Today, the church celebrates one of the most important days, Pentecost. We remember when the hapless disciples were gathered in their traditional worship space, performing their obligations when they were transformed and overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit. The church began that day, for those who were powerless and afraid could suddenly speak to the gathering clearly and without fear. They were bold when once they were terrified, strong when once they were deep in mourning. Life for them was never the same, never easy, and they were never alone.
Jesus is teaching his disciples at the end of his earthly ministry. The commandment from the Gospel of John is something they recalled after the day of Pentecost. They had spent the time after his death huddled in fear of the law, going back to fishing and feeling like everything was broken and gone. Jesus had encouraged them to be fearless and yet they were terrified. The promised day came, though, and they were never the same. And it is so for us as well. Loss and defeat can instill us with fear. Our humanity and the brokenness of the world can overwhelm us. Yet our loving Creator promises more love, more strength, more passion. The spirit is coming and ready always to renew us.
Today, I ask God to reinvigorate my faith and empower the ministry to which I have been called. May all of us who have suffered set backs and loss, be bold, take heart and await the renewing of the Holy Spirit.
The Collect
Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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