Come Holy Ghost.... - Rector's Rambling for June 5, 2022

 Come Holy Ghost, our souls inspire!

That opening line from the ancient hymn Veni Creator Spiritus is a prayer I use often.  Along with The Jesus Prayer (Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner) these are two great ejaculatory prayers to use throughout the day.  During a moment of stress, or a moment of joy (and lots of times in-between) these short prayers, fired up to heaven, helps us to re-frame and reset our minds and hearts throughout the day.

Today is Whitsunday, also known as  Pentecost Sunday.  We celebrate the gift of the Holy Ghost, the Third Person of the Holy Trinity, being poured out upon the Church so that we can be equipped for the sharing of the Good News of God in Jesus Christ.

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles tells us about the event of the Holy Ghost descending on the disciples and their immediate response to begin sharing the Gospel to all those gathered in Jerusalem from various nations, in their own native languages.  The chapters that follow inform us of those apostles and disciples being busy about sharing Jesus with all those around them.

The gift of the Holy Ghost  on Whitsunday is an ACTION event.  They were not passive recipients but instead are empowered to do the work of the Church! 

And although there is an interior aspect to the work of the Holy Ghost in our lives - leading us to holiness by helping us to pray and inspiring us to live disciplined lives according to God’s Will and Commandments, His overarching work is to equip us through this greater holiness, to minister to others in Jesus’ name.  We are strengthened by His might to be The Church for others so that they may come to know Jesus Christ as Lord.