Across the world joy of Pentecost renews the vigour and the hope of all. One of the most beloved of Christian hymns will echo in every language under heaven as the human family awaits another coming of the Holy Spirit as Christ promised.
O Most Blessed Light Divine,
Shine within these hearts of Thine
And our inmost being fill
We are often blind and in the dark. We are cold and isolated by our inability to love. We long for better things, to rise above the meaner sell, to fly where eagles dare. Inherent weakness keeps us earth bound and unfulfilled. The spirit restores our sight, gives us vision and leads us to the light. Our personal Pentecost melts the frozen, warms the chill and as for the psalmist, at the breath of God the ice bound waters freely flow again. God's gift will heal our wounds, our strength renew, and on the dryness pour the dew that nourishes a green bough in the withered heart where the birds of heaven can, as in Eden, once more sing. The Pentecost birthday is alive with the music of hope made new.
St Luke speaks to us in the language of fact and of symbol carrying to us echoes of our Biblical past with vision and hope for our future days. We share in the sound from heaven, the mighty wind, the flaming fire and the gift of speech that, grants to a human tongue the saving words of power. We, weak and fickle humans, can be joined to Christ who spoke with authority as no one ever spoke before. A microcosm of the world wide human family thronged the streets of Jerusalem. Many asked in wonder "What does all this mean?" Some mocked at Peter and the 11 as if the Apostles were drunk at dawn. They were quickly silenced as they saw Joel's prophecy fulfilled before their eyes. The spirit poured out, sons and daughters proclaiming God's good news, young seeing visions and the old having dreams come true. Three thousand were baptised. Many miracles were done through the Apostles and everyone was filled with wondrous awe. And even still today as we celebrate the Pentecost birthday of the church we learn from the Apostles, take part in the community and share in the Eucharist and in the prayers. Babel and its many languages tore the people apart in discord. The tongues of Pentecost join all people in unity and love. All today reflect on the mysterious gift of speech. When our utterances unite in love we merit a blessing. When we choose words to divide and to hurt and to kill we call down a curse. Our hunger for God, always a latent need now becomes a deep felt want. It is the holy spirit who gives life and hope to all who strive to build a civilisation of love. ". . . The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control And the Lord works in each of us while, through our varied gifts, we stand with Christ as good and evil interlock in the endless conflict for the human heart and mind.