Jesus said to his disciples, ”When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning. “I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because they do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned. “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15
Pentecost is often referred to as the church's birthday. Like most births, it came suddenly and on her own time. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit and Pentecost happened, yet many thought the disciples were drunk and foolish. Much of what the Holy Spirit does in our lives and in the church can seem foolish and problematic for many. Many want the comfort of the nostalgic church they remember, often incorrectly. Yet throughout history, God empowers the unlikely and even the unprepared with the Holy Spirit. The church burst onto the world with uncontrolled language, with tongues of flames and an unfailing community of mutual support. May we who serve our Creator in the church always be ready to be overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit so we can do new things needed in this age.
A Litany for Pentecost
Marvelous Creator, source of the Spirit
you breathe your love on everyone
empowering us with your Holy Spirit
making us all proclaim your love to all.
Come Holy Spirit and make a home in our hearts today.
We refuse to change our minds and hearts
we struggle to see creative solutions
we cling to the past as if it was perfect
and fail to see the Spirit among us all.
Come Holy Spirit and make a home in our hearts today.
Yet you are the one who calls the unlikely
shepherds, fisherfolk and tax collectors
were overwhelmed by your Holy Spirit
and given prophetic voices in hard times.
Come Holy Spirit and make a home in our hearts today.
We are frustrated when our world has changed
help us see your Holy Spirit moving here.
Come Holy Spirit and make a home in our hearts today.
Give us new hearts and new capabilities
so we might serve your love inbreaking now.
Come Holy Spirit and make a home in our hearts today.
For your have renewed us and mended us all
and you are our beginning, our end and our home.
Come Holy Spirit and make a home in our hearts today. Amen.
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