Posted on 06/03/2006 5:48:53 PM PDT by sionnsar
One of the great Canadian Anglican pulpiteers of our time, Harry Robinson, was once asked what the greatest obstacle for him was in preaching. He didn’t even hesitate. “Overfamiliarity with the text,” he responded.
If that is true on any great feast day it is true on Pentecost. We read the story knowing what is going to come, forgetting that those there at the time had no idea what would occur next.
Jesus said “behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high.” Then he left. They did not comprehend his words. Luke tells us at the key moment his disciples were not standing, they were sitting.
When the Holy Spirit came, Luke stretches language to its limit to try to capture what occurred: “a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind;” “tongues as of fire.” This was not anticipated and therefore those present were filled with wonder and astonishment.
Earlier Jesus had said “the wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit.” And so, too, is it when the Holy Spirit blows into our lives.
After one particularly stressful day recently, I was sitting with my wife watching a taped favorite television program, “24.” We were at a tense moment in the show. It was late. Then the phone rang.
I was not thinking the most pleasant thoughts. I was frustrated. We stopped the show and I looked to see the number indicating that our oldest daughter, who is away from home at school, was calling. I’ll bet you guessed I didn’t answer as hospitably as I should have.
The voice on the other end of the phone wanted to speak to her father. I said hello and she proceeded to read me a passage from a 19th century author she had just discovered. She was breathless. “Isn’t that fantastic?” she asked. “I knew you would appreciate it the most — I just had to call and share it.”
Soon thereafter the voice was gone. I was filled with sudden wonder, touched through joy by surprise.
I think of moments like that when I remember Pentecost, and I pray in this wonderful season that God will grant us new openness to whatever unexpected encounters the Spirit provides for us.
–The Rev. Canon Dr. Kendall S. Harmon is editor of the Anglican Digest and convenor of this blog and wishes all blog readers a blessed Pentecost weekend
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. nice post, thank you. Blessed Pentecost to all.
May God, who sent the Holy Spirit as a flame of fire that rested upon the heads of the disciples, burn out all evil from your hearts and make them shine with the pure light of his presence. Amen.
May God, who by the Holy Spirit caused those of many tongues to proclaim Jesus as Lord, strengthen your faith and send you out to bear witness to him more and more. Amen.
May the Spirit of truth lead you into all truth, giving you grace to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and to proclaim the wonderful works of God, and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.
The Lord Be With You
.... When the Holy Spirit came, Luke stretches language to its limit to try to capture what occurred:
“a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind;” “tongues as of fire.”
This was not anticipated and therefore those present were filled with wonder and astonishment......
They would have stayed up all night studying the Holy Word of G-d i.e.the Torah. They were required to be in Jerusalem to celebrate Shavuot, Shavuot is seven weeks and one day hence fifty days The L-rd's Feast of First Fruits is the day following the shabbat Shavuot is the end of the counting of the Omer( First Fruits) Shavuot also celebrates the giving of the Torah to Moses by YHvH The Book of Ruth is read by all during this feast. Ruth (gentile bride) and Boaz (Kinsman-Redeemer) are ancestors of Y'shua. I was not a surprise for the followers of the haMashiach known as Y'shua.
b'shem Y'shua
which is a mandatory feast of the L-rd to be celebrated Jerusalem.
following the L-rd's Feast of First Fruits.
following Passover, hence the first day of the week(Sunday).
at Mount Sinai and they became a people consecrated to YHvH.
The story of Ruth is about a gentile woman who
becomes the bride of the kinsman-redeemer and returns
the disowned widow to the land (Bethlehem)which had been her birthright.
"How's that new gleaner doing?" "Not sure who you're talking about there, Boaz." "Oh, all right - the cute one!"
8 posted on 06/03/2006 10:04:26 PM MDT by AnnaZ
Blessings on you and yours!
b'shem Y'shua
Proverbs 3:5b'shem Y'shua
Trust in YHvH with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:6
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:7
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear YHvH and turn away from evil.
Proverbs 3:8
It will be healing to your body
And refreshment to your bones.
Proverbs 3:9
Honor YHvH from your wealth
And from the first of all your produce;
Proverbs 3:10
So your barns will be filled with plenty
And your vats will overflow with new wine.
Proverbs 3:11
My son, do not reject the discipline of YHvH
Or loathe His reproof,
Proverbs 3:12
For whom YHvH loves He reproves,
Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.
"May HaShem bless you and protect you. May HaShem smile on you and be gracious to you. May HaShem show you His favor and give you His peace."
Amain and Amain
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