Whitsunday - Rector's Rambling for June 8, 2014

Whitsunday is another wonderful day because we witness once again that God is faithful to his promises.  God in Jesus Christ promised his Apostles and disciples that he would send to them the Holy Ghost, the Comforter.  He has promised that the Holy Ghost would lead them into all truth.  And he promised that through the Holy Ghost we would be empowered to do the work of the ministry that he has set before us.

God is faithful.  And of course our responsibility is to be faithful as well.  Whitsunday (also known as Pentecost) is an ACTION day.  The Apostles and disciples on this day are receivers of God’s gift of the Holy Ghost, and they immediately go to work.  The Holy Ghost gives them the gift of tongues so that they can witness to the people from the various nations who were in Jerusalem in their own languages.  They get right to work proclaiming the good news that Jesus Christ is Lord, that he is risen from the dead, and that we have eternal life in his name.

It is no different today.  Although some may manifest the gift of tongues, there are other gifts (see the teaching notes on page 4) as well as such manifestations as miracles, healing, distinguishing of spirits, and prophecy (1 Corinthians 12:7–11).  St. Paul reminds us that it is given as God wills, and more importantly it is given “for the common good” (1 Cor. 12:7).

Here at St. John’s we must be challenged by the Holy Ghost to not just be “consumers of religion”.  What is happening here is not about being served.  We are EMPOWERED by God the Holy Ghost, and just as the disciples did on that day, we to are to get to work!  Share the reason for the hope that is in us to our friends and neighbors, invite them to worship with us, and pray for them to the Father in Jesus’ name!  Become involved in ministry through this parish and beyond.  Seek ways to serve God in others.

In the end, it isn’t about US, it is about HIM.    We are to be transformed by grace and empowered by the Spirit.  Imagine what that church looks like, and let’s become it!