| Moltmann points to the importance of Pentecost - the life of the Church. The Spirit who fills the church is the Spirit of God and Christ. Why did Christ come into this world? So that he might give life. Why did he die and rise again? So that God's eternal Spirit might be 'poured out upon all flesh'. The Word took bodily form so that we might receive the Holy Spirit. 'God became the bearer of a body so that we human beings might be bearers of the Spirit' , said Athanasius. Everything in God's history with men and women and earthly creation draws toward the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. the ultimate meaning of Christmas, Good Friday, Easter and Ascension it Pentecost. Pentecost is the goal of Christ's history, not just an appendix. I never looked at Pentecost in such a way. And yet, it makes complete sense. If the Christ of God brings life to the world, Pentecost is the storytelling of how that life burst onto the scene to become the way this life will take shape. Quite often, the experience of the presence of the Holy Spirit is held within stories that can appear - extraordinary. Just think of the images that come to mind when the word Pentecost or Holy Spirit is used among us. It can lead us to think of 'ecstatic' experiences that comes with specific actions and worship experiences. We must remember that in our storytelling, the Holy Spirit is also the power that creates new life in the midst of the quite ordinary. This Spirit brings us into new life that is outside our vision and borders that can so easily keep us within a limited life experience. I often think that the simple label Pentecostal - rather than being expansive and explosive with life - can be very limiting and restrictive and afraid of the fullness of life around us. Connection: It would be interesting to see how the church year would go if in our worship planning, we put as much or more 'planning' and special attention to Pentecost as we do to Christmas and Easter? Talk about stirring a pot! Spirit of Life, come upon us and shape us again this day. Move us with your breath so that we will be refreshed and able to live with boldness within the Reign of our God. Amen. |
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