The Introduction
God created the world with a word, scripture tells us. God spoke the word BE, and all that is came into being. In the same way, God spoke divinity into human form when Jesus the Word ‘became flesh and dwelt among us’. Finally, the Spirit of Holiness becomes available to us when Jesus breathes the simple words, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’. The gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit are defined by lists of words that school children memorise, but behind those words are powerful realities. Invoking the Spirit of joy, peace, patience, and love will create
quite a different world than the one invoked by anger, bitterness, and indifference. Lives are bound together or drawn apart by words spoken or withheld. Stewardship over the power of words is a holy reality.
Look up the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5: 22 – 23. How many of these are expressed in your life? Choose one fruit of the Holy Spirit that is least present in your life, and make conscious decisions to employ it this week.
The Scripture (John 20: 21-22)
The disciples were filled with joy when they saw Jesus, who said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As God sent me, so I’m sending you’. After saying this, Jesus breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone sins, they are forgiven. If you retain anyone’s sins, they are retained’.
The Connection
Like other artists of his time, the seventeenth-century Flemish painter Rubens had a group of apprentices working with him. They watched closely and strove to imitate him. He would sometimes pause for a moment, gazing at the rather hesitant creation of one of the would-be artists. Then, seizing the brush from the hands of the pupil, he would add the finishing touches. It was those touches that brought the painting to life. After alluding this practice of Rubens, a modern scripture scholar notes that until the day of Pentecost the disciples,
the Lord’s ‘apprentices’, had been clumsily trying to copy their Master; but on that day ‘the Spirit … finished the painting’.
It is a neat way of summarising the effects of the first Pentecost. It explains why Pentecost is spoken of as the Church’s birthday, the day when the Church truly sprang to life; the day when it was made ready for its mission of taking the Good News to the ends of the earth. The mighty wind, which shook the house where the disciples had gathered, soon grew still and the flames of fire, which hovered over their heads, soon disappeared. But the Holy Spirit, whose coming had been announced by wind and fire, had come to stay, had come to be with the
Church until the end of time, to be its very soul, its life principle. And the Holy Spirit never grows old!
The Story – Listen Up
A roomful of disgruntled citizens – parents, teachers, students – sat around the table with big shots from the local council for a ‘listening session’. The meeting was meant to appease the citizens, who were furious over a deal politicians had struck behind closed doors with developers that would mean the eventual closing of a vibrant public school. The politicians agreed to listen to what the people had to say, but after the first few minutes, it was clear to everyone that decisions had already been made and would continue to be made with little regard for the community’s input.
That is what is known as business as usual. But every so often someone comes along who does listen and actually hears what others are saying. With hearing come talking and soon understanding. It’s a seemingly simple act, but listening and speaking another’s language carries great consequences. Once you hear the other side of the story – the cries of the poor, oppressed, or abused – you think and act differently, and it’s no longer business as usual. Next thing you know you’re being called a radical, revolutionary, or enemy of the state.
Not to worry, though. You’re in good company. Jesus and all those he breathes his Spirit on are called nothing less. In the case of the school crisis, the one politician who finally listened is now being called a hero by a group of grateful citizens.
The Commissioning
In the power of the Holy Spirit, nothing is impossible!
We will leave the past behind carefully; we will share generously; we will participate gladly; we will face decisions bravely; we will confront evil without fear; we will venture confidently; we will be reconciled joyfully; we will grasp discipleship enthusiastically!
With the Spirit you can find fulfillment, and live faithfully! Amen.
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