Reflection for Sunday 19th May 2024PentecostEzekiel 37.1-14, Acts 2.1-21, John 15.26-27; 16.4b-15.On Pentecost, we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit and the church's birth. With this in mind, I wonder how the disciples felt when they saw each other with God's holy fire on their heads. What puzzles me is that they didn't seem to panic but instead went out, rejoicing in excitement!The Holy Spirit changed them from being frightened and hiding away in the upper room to bold, confident, and jubilant people speaking out to the vast crowds. The crowds of people, somewhere between 30,000 and 50,000, came from all over the surrounding area for the Pentecost pilgrimage festival. This festival marked the all-important wheat harvest and also commemorated God giving the Torah to the nation of Israel.How interesting that God chose this particular festival to give his Holy Spirit! There is a feeling of completion about it as God sent the commandments for the people’s wellbeing and reminded them of their need for God. Now, the Holy Spirit's arrival not only inscribes the commandments into people's hearts, but also unites us with God in an unprecedented manner. The actions of the disciples showed lives renewed and refreshed by God’s Holy Spirit.Suddenly they felt free of fear, free of guilt and shame, and free to go out into the world to speak of God’s love to everybody. And when they spoke, everybody understood them, no matter what country they came from! The divine Spirit burst down upon the believers with the force of storm winds and “with fire,” giving them abilities they could never acquire on their own.This same fire, this Holy Spirit, is still open to us today. But, of course, you can’t see the flame of the Holy Spirit inside people. But what you can see is the beauty of God working through us. God bestows upon us a beautiful, mysterious power that transforms us and the world around us, instilling new hope in those whose lives are filled with struggle and suffering. The Holy Spirit breathes new life, new energies, and new reasons for living. The Holy Spirit speaks into our hearts, convicting us of our sins and calling us to repentance. He stirs us up into a greater, more intimate relationship with God.However, the Spirit’s power does not force its way into our lives. The Spirit's method does not rely on intimidation or coercion. The choice to invite the Holy Spirit into our lives or ignore God completely remains ours. How do you respond to this choice? Do you want a close, intimate relationship with God? I’ll leave it to you to answer that one. As we ponder this choice, know that who we are, as the church, is dependent upon the Spirit of God at work within us all, for nothing good can happen without the Spirit’s guidance. The Spirit's presence, which cannot be controlled by individuals, groups, or an oppressive virus, underpins our unity as followers of Christ. The Holy Spirit's work at baptism unites us as one people, uniting us to Christ and God the Father.The breath of God, that once brought life to Adam, now gives all things vitality and nourishment, in a new and permanent way. The comforter, the advocate, and the mothering Holy Spirit heal brokenness and open new depths for intimacy with God. The Holy Spirit empowers us to work with God to restore wholeness to the created order. The Holy Spirit reorients us towards Jesus as the focal point of our lives and the world he cherishes.Today, as we celebrate Pentecost, we remember the mystery of God’s gift. We express our gratitude for the Holy Spirit's power, which brings wholeness and a profound sense of love to those who embrace Jesus. As we open our hearts time and again to the love of God, we receive the beneficial fire of the Holy Spirit, his wondrous gifts, and a deep sense of belonging to a group of people who know God as Father. Through belonging, we can truly face the future with hope, grace, and love. We are followers of Christ, we are church, and we will give God the glory in our lives and in our communities. Let us pray. Lord, we pray together for more of you in our lives. Fill us afresh with your Holy Spirit. Set our hearts on fire for you, now and forever. Amen. Blessings and prayers, Emma