This Sunday we celebrate Pentecost. The term means the fiftieth day. It refers to the coming of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). It is on the day of Pentecost that we gather as a church and celebrate our common life that is given to us through the Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is a mystery for many people. As such, I thought I would take the opportunity to briefly reflect on the Spirit. I have provided biblical references for your own study.

The Bible makes it clear that the Spirit is not an it but a person. The Spirit has all the characteristics of person-hood. The Spirit thinks (Acts 15:28), speaks (Acts 15:28), leads (Romans 8:14), and encourages (John 14:16). It is through the Spirit that Jesus is present with us and within us (see John chapter 14).

Scripture also makes it clear that the Spirit was involved in creation (Genesis 1: 1-2). The Holy Spirit brings order out of chaos, frees people from all kinds of things, and is often physically felt as an indescribable energy or electricity.

In the Old Testament, the Spirit came on to particular people at particular times for particular tasks. For example, Gideon was called to lead the people during a very difficult time (Judges 6:15). Samson was filled with strength and power (Judges 15). And in Joel 2:28-29 we learn that God promised that there would be a day that the Spirit would no longer be reserved for particular people at particular times for particular tasks, but that the Spirit would pour out on all people. This is exactly what happened on the day of Pentecost and what continues today.

The Holy Spirit is active within each one of us (Ephesians 4:4-6). Through the Spirit we have a deep intimacy with God. The Spirit helps us to pray (Romans 8:26), helps us to understand the Bible (Ephesians 1:17-18), transforms who we are as people (Galatians 5), motivates unity (Ephesians 4:3), gives us all gifts to use in ministry (1 Corinthians 12:7-11; Ephesians 4, Romans 12:7, 1 Peter 4), and sometimes does very unusual things (Acts 2).

It is my prayer this Pentecost season that we will joyfully celebrate the presence of the Spirit with us and our blessed community of faith. Let us together pray to receive the Holy Spirit and that Snowmass Chapel will continue to be transformed by the Spirit. Here are a few prayers to use during this Pentecost season.

 

O come, Holy Spirit, inflame my heart, set it on fire with love. Burn away my self-centredness so that I can love unselfishly. Breathe your life-giving breath into my soul so that I can live freely and joyously, unrestricted by self-consciousness, and may be ready to go wherever you may send me. Come like a gentle breeze and give me your still peace so that I may be quiet and know the wonder of your presence, and help diffuse it in the world. Never let me shut you out; never let me try to limit you to my capacity; act freely in me and through me, never leave me, O Lord and giver of life.

Michael Hollings and Etta Gullick

 

Holy Spirit, think through me till your ideas are my ideas.

Amy Carmichael

 

Spirit of the Living Christ, come upon me in the glory of your risen power; Spirit of the Living Christ, come upon me in all the humility of your wondrous love; Spirit of the Living Christ, come upon me that new life may course within my veins, new love bind us together in one family, a new vision of the kingdom of God spur us on to serve you with fearless passion.

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