At the end of this month we celebrate Pentecost, when Jesus' disciples experienced
the Holy Spirit. This changed, not only their lives, but the lives of others, by enabling
them to tell many other people about God. The disciples received the ability to talk
to others from all different nations. Pentecost then is an amazing story about God's
love for all people of all nations.
I was recently reading this Pentecost poem, by Malcolm Guite, which reminds us
how amazing, powerful and joyful this message of Pentecost is, that God's love is for
all.
Pentecost
Today we feel the wind beneath our wings
Today the hidden fountain flows and plays
Today the church draws breath at last and sings
As every flame becomes a Tongue of praise.
This is the feast of fire, air, and water
Poured out and breathed and kindled into earth.
The earth herself awakens to her maker
And is translated out of death to birth.
The right words come today in their right order
And every word spells freedom and release.
Today the gospel crosses every border
All tongues are loosened by the Prince of Peace.
Today the lost are found in His translation.
Whose mother tongue is Love in every nation.
This amazing message of Pentecost also reminds us how the disciples went and told
others about God. We are challenged, as followers of Jesus, to do the same. It
reminds me of the words of Saint Theresa of Avila who was reported to have said,
‘Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are
the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with
which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the
world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.'
Pentecost is an amazing message, of God's power, of God wanting all nations to
know about his power and love. It challenges us to think about how we can share
God's love with others today in our words and actions and through our prayer.
With all best wishes and prayers,
Rev'd George
Prayer for the month
Holy Spirit, sent by the Father,
ignite in us your holy fire;
strengthen your children with the gift of faith,
revive your Church with the breath of love,
and renew the face of the earth,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen