Over the next three Sundays we will be celebrating three distinct Holy Days:
Ascension – 40 Days after Easter. May 12. Pentecost – 50 Days after Easter. May 19. Holy Trinity – The Sunday after Pentecost. May 26. These each in their own way celebrate the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. These are not events of the past, but present-day realities pointing the way to life, freedom, and hope for salvation of all creation. These days affirm that Jesus is Lord of all. The Holy Spirit has been poured out to all humankind. The true faith is found in relationship, for the nature of God is best understood in terms of a community of love – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Ascension – “After Jesus’ suffering, he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the Kingdom of God...[Jesus told his disciples], you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up (ascended) and a cloud took him out of their sight.” (Acts 1:3, 8) Question is will we live up (ascend) to Jesus’ calling? Now almost 2,000 years later, we are to be witnesses to Jesus in our home (Jerusalem), community (Judea), with those who are separated from us (Samaria), and all people (to the ends of the earth). Thankfully, we do not do this on our own, but as the church with the power of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost – “Suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where [the followers of Jesus] were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them authority…Amazed and astonished, they asked, ‘Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear each of us in our own native tongue?” (Acts 2:2-4, 7-8) Question is, do we allow the Holy Spirit to speak in and through us to others? What does that look like? In baptism we pray, “Sustain (person’s name) with the gift of the Holy Spirit; ‘the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord,’ (Isaiah 11:2) the spirit of joy in your presence, both now and forever. Amen.” (pg. 231 ELW). If we allowed these gifts of the Holy Spirit embody us, we would be able to hear each other in their native tongue – which I believe is being able to hear another’s story and how it contributes to building the Kingdom of God. That requires being in relationship… Holy Trinity - And the Holy Spirit descended upon Him [Jesus] in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, “You are My [the Father’s] beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” (Luke 3:22) This is one of several scriptures that identify the relationship of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is the greeting at the start of worship, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.” (2nd Corinthians 13:14) Question is, do we allow the Spirit to lead us to greet everyone we meet in this manner, whether in our homes, community, those who are separate from us, and all people. May these three Sundays lift you up, fill you with the Spirit, and invite you into relationships with others to point the way to life, freedom, and the hope for salvation of all creation. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
1 Comment
Diane LaFontaine
5/8/2024 08:03:43 am
Thank you for these current day explanations of these historical events. It helps to understand why they matter today.
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