Pentecost
It's finally here. The fiftieth day of Easter. Pentecost.
It's interesting to me that Pentecost is not just an event after Easter, but an event ofEaster. Like I said fifty days ago, Easter was not the end, it was just the beginning.
In the interim, we've read through the entire book of Acts, and most of the Gospel of John. We've seen how Jesus broke open the Scriptures and explained everything to the apostles. We've seen how the Holy Spirit, who arrives today, changes the people who receive it. From Peter's bravery to Saul's conversion and the addition of thousands to the faith, the fruit of this time in between is incredibly rich.
It still seems a little out of order though, doesn't it? We're hearing about Pentecost now, and we've already heard everything that comes after. Why?
Maybe it's so that we know what we're called to. Maybe it's because we are called to leave this Sunday filled with this Spirit we've been hearing about. Maybe we have our model, and now it's our time.
We have been breaking open the Scriptures for almost two months. We've seen what courage looks like, what love looks like. Now, it's our turn.
The Holy Spirit is here. Now.
In Galatians 5:16-25 (one of the options for Sunday's second reading) we are even given a template to see if we're living in the Spirit or not.
Not living in the Spirit: immorality, impurity, lust, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like (Wow, that's a whole lot of options!)
Living in the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control
Which life would you rather lead? Which type of people would you rather be around? What if you could be that person?
This Pentecost, ask Jesus to send you the Advocate, to fill you with the Holy Spirit that He promised. Ordinary time is coming. Wouldn't it be amazing if a life in the Spirit what ordinary looked like?
Read it here: Pentecost Sunday
