June
2003
The risen Christ appeared first then repeatedly to his disciples, strengthening them, encouraging them. On that first Easter evening, he told them (Luke 24:48) they "must tell everyone, everything that has happened. I will send you the one my Father has promised, but you must stay in the city until you are given power (from heaven)." The one promised is the Holy Spirit.
Our celebration of the Day of Pentecost, with all the weeks that follow in the church's year, helps us to think about how God is at work in us through the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we call the Pentecost "the birthday of the Church, when the Spirit came to us" or we are tempted to think that this is the first time the Spirit is mentioned in the scriptures.
The Spirit of God was at work in creation (Genesis 1:2 RSV); word images like "moving over the face of the waters" (RSV) and "brooded like a bird over the watery abyss" (The Message) help us to understand something of the Spirit's nature. You will be aware of many other times we read about the Spirit's work in the lives of people before that remarkable day in the life of the church.
On the day of Pentecost the disciples, waiting in Jerusalem as the risen Christ had told them, received the empowering of God's Spirit for their work in telling the good news of Jesus' life, death and resurrection. Images remembered from that experience are "the sound of a mighty wind filling the house where they were gathered", and "fiery tongues moving in all directions, a tongue settling on each person there" (CEV). Others remembered how the Spirit took control of everyone, as they began speaking whatever language the Spirit let them speak. Each of us recognises the Spirit in distinctive ways in our own lives and those of other people.
One of my friends, who has been a faithful disciple of Christ
for many years, describes the work of the Holy Spirit in her
life as giving "Grace for the long haul". No matter
how old we are, how long we have been disciples of Christ,
we rely on the Holy Spirit to guide, encourage, sustain, renew,
empower, stimulate, and to calm our own spirit.
When have you recognised the Holy Spirit at work in your life
or the life of others recently?
Recently I have noted
- Thornleigh Hillcrest Congregation committing themselves to be witnesses to Christ during the opening of their new church and community complex.
- People honoured (the Rev. Dr John Garrett one of them) and receiving awards at this year's Sydney College of Divinity Graduation, praying they be sent "in the power of the Spirit to live and work for (God's) power and glory".
- Blue Mountains Parish Mission Box service at Leura as members present, pledged support for Sara Medical Centre, Jayapura, West Papua.
- A service celebrating the life of the Rev. Dr Gloster Udy, witnessing to the grace of God, the Christian gospel of promise and hope shown in his life and ministry.
- The Rev. Esther Smart at her induction as Chaplain at Lithgow Correctional Centre, speaking of the Spirit preparing her for this new ministry.
- People in Gymea, Padstow, Bardwell Park, Oatley, and other congregations of Georges River Presbytery responding to prompting in their lives.
- Those leading presbyteries, Synod boards and agencies, school staff, ELM and UTC; those working with children, youth and older folk, each responding as they are open to God's leading.
- • The way ahead opening for us as we walk with all our sisters and brothers in this multicultural church.
The Spirit helps us open ourselves to God, so we find the words to praise God, to speak to God in words, music and other ways that we cannot discover on our own. All this and more is the gift of the Holy Spirit.