"They were all together in one place." Like you, Nadia, coming through the pandemic this also stops me in my tracks. We will be grateful when we can do this again but the magnitude of this statement should always have overwhelmed us. The Day of Pentecost was an enormous event in many ways. One of the most remarkable was that this was a gathering of people from diverse cultures, languages and ethnicities from all around the Mediterranean and beyond Probably the greatest gift of the Holy Spirit was communication between them all. There is celebration of the gift of tongues as a climactic blessing but, however the communication took place, those who received the message of the power of God were even more rewarded than those who expressed it. The Holy Spirit may have blessed the tongues of those who spoke but She also touched the ears of those who heard. However that happened it was the firestorm of an event that gave birth to the one holy and apostolic church in which we believe.
Just before the pandemic hit I was in church, just after my dear wife had died, and was astounded by a beautiful hymn that was new to me: "She comes sailing on the wind, her wings flashing in the sun, on a journey just begun, she flies on. And in the passage of her flight, her song rings out through the night, full of laughter, full of light, she flies on." Through tears I thought of my wife, her journey just begun, then realized that the hymn praises the Holy Spirit in feminine terms. My beloved Margaret still flies along with Her, full of laughter, full of light.
thank you for telling me again that it's not what I do, but rather the Spirit coming, leading, holding me up and believing in me inspite of my humaness.
My heart has grown hard over the past year seeing such indifference and even vitriol towards my efforts to shield my medically complex son from the virus. Now we are free, we have survived. Yet he is still up young to be vaccinated so our family continues to wait as the world begins spinning again. And I am so angry. I do not know how I will go back to “normal” in my community that didn’t do anything to protect its most vulnerable. Now that I have seen it’s true colors I no longer wish to be a part. Will I remain withdrawn forever, not from Covid but from bitterness?
I cannot tell you how much I needed this this week, Nadia. To know I am not alone in wondering just how faith and ministry continue on after all this loss and anger, and to hear your powerful assurance that the Holy Spirit has got this covered ... thank you.
One pentecost Sunday we cranked up big fans all around the sanctuary as we released a zillion red balloons and bubble blowing machines.. a big mess, but worth it.
Thank you, Nadia. From a healthcare provider and mother of a toddler who feels isolated today in a world that is opening up and moving forward (in Texas, mind you), I needed the reminder that the work of the Holy Spirit is not ours to do. If you believe, I believe.
"They were all together in one place." Like you, Nadia, coming through the pandemic this also stops me in my tracks. We will be grateful when we can do this again but the magnitude of this statement should always have overwhelmed us. The Day of Pentecost was an enormous event in many ways. One of the most remarkable was that this was a gathering of people from diverse cultures, languages and ethnicities from all around the Mediterranean and beyond Probably the greatest gift of the Holy Spirit was communication between them all. There is celebration of the gift of tongues as a climactic blessing but, however the communication took place, those who received the message of the power of God were even more rewarded than those who expressed it. The Holy Spirit may have blessed the tongues of those who spoke but She also touched the ears of those who heard. However that happened it was the firestorm of an event that gave birth to the one holy and apostolic church in which we believe.
Just before the pandemic hit I was in church, just after my dear wife had died, and was astounded by a beautiful hymn that was new to me: "She comes sailing on the wind, her wings flashing in the sun, on a journey just begun, she flies on. And in the passage of her flight, her song rings out through the night, full of laughter, full of light, she flies on." Through tears I thought of my wife, her journey just begun, then realized that the hymn praises the Holy Spirit in feminine terms. My beloved Margaret still flies along with Her, full of laughter, full of light.
thank you for telling me again that it's not what I do, but rather the Spirit coming, leading, holding me up and believing in me inspite of my humaness.
This is breathtaking, thank you - it made me cry. I too am finding it very hard to just pick up and move on.
I don’t know how to do this either. Thank you for helping me feel less alone, less like an individual with small faith, less outcast. Thank. You.
Wonderful sermon, especially the adapted Creed... ;-)
Nadia, these were the words I needed to hear today. Blessings on you!!
My heart has grown hard over the past year seeing such indifference and even vitriol towards my efforts to shield my medically complex son from the virus. Now we are free, we have survived. Yet he is still up young to be vaccinated so our family continues to wait as the world begins spinning again. And I am so angry. I do not know how I will go back to “normal” in my community that didn’t do anything to protect its most vulnerable. Now that I have seen it’s true colors I no longer wish to be a part. Will I remain withdrawn forever, not from Covid but from bitterness?
I cannot tell you how much I needed this this week, Nadia. To know I am not alone in wondering just how faith and ministry continue on after all this loss and anger, and to hear your powerful assurance that the Holy Spirit has got this covered ... thank you.
One pentecost Sunday we cranked up big fans all around the sanctuary as we released a zillion red balloons and bubble blowing machines.. a big mess, but worth it.
Thank you -- so perceptive. I really liked hearing you preach this sermon at St. John's, too.
Nadia, thank you for your honest, heartfelt words.
Thank you, Nadia. From a healthcare provider and mother of a toddler who feels isolated today in a world that is opening up and moving forward (in Texas, mind you), I needed the reminder that the work of the Holy Spirit is not ours to do. If you believe, I believe.