The coming of the Holy Spirit

My Dear Friends,

We are about to embark on a little walk around the idea of the Holy Spirit, and try and embrace the mystery which fills every one of us.

Last Thursday we celebrated the feast of the Ascension. Jesus has gone to be with his Father, and before he left he told his disciple
 “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about”

And so they waited.

It was a strange time for them. They had been devastated when Jesus had been killed, and then overjoyed when he had risen. Of course they had. Then 40 days  ( long time) later he was gone again after promising them the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Like his previous promises about rising from the dead, they had heard the words, but were not quite sure what it all meant. The Holy Spirit, The Comforter, The Gift, The Helper. Jesus had spoken about a power from on high, he had promised them that something would happen, but what?
Jesus had also told them at the end of Matthew’s Gospel to
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

So, they had been told to wait for this gift, but they were not sure what would happen.
There was a great mixture in their emotions. They were still fearful of what might happen to them. The authorities has crucified their leader, and anything was possible if they made a fuss or drew attention to the fact that he was alive. But Jesus had said he will be always with them, so there was that reassurance – but what did it mean when they couldn’t see him.
So, they waited, but like so many people who are called to wait, they mixed that obedience with some action. The decided to replace Judas with another apostle, because

 “Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.” (Note Peter is quoting the Holy Spirit here, while they were still waiting)

So taking two possible candidates from their midst who had been with them throughout Jesus’ ministry, they cast lots, and Matthais was chosen “For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”

Let’s just unpack. Pentecost had not yet happened, but they knew that the Holy Spirit existed, and was something to do with God, they knew that they had to tell people the great things God had done, they knew they had been promised something, but they were also scared, uncertain and didn’t quite know what to do next.

This first part of my little series on the Holy Spirit is all about that. The uncertainty of waiting for something which is a mystery.

We all have to wait, for a whole range of different things. Varying from the exciting anticipation of waiting for a lover to arrive to the desperately sad feeling of loss at we wait beside the bed for the last breath of a dying loved one, and everything in between.
Often we know what we are waiting for. A particular date, the arrival of something specific or the weather to change.
Sometimes we are waiting, and whatever it is, is within a series of options. The result of tests, or an interview for a job or the numbers picked for the lottery. The travel restrictions to be eased and the chance to see family members again.

But in our story of the Apostles in Jerusalem they were waiting for something to do with God which was beyond their imagination.
Jesus had promise to send the Counsellor, and they trusted him, but what would happen. What did it mean? How would they know? What would they do?
Their fear was mixed with anticipation and excitement. They had a story to tell – the greatest story ever, and they had witnessed the resurrection, and that had brought them unending joy. But what was going to happen next?

This is the part I want us to ponder. What do we think God has in store for us as we continue our journey of faith. What will our future hold. What about the future of our local church or the Chaplaincy itself.
When we think of God and our future do we have a sense of fear, or a sence of wonder and excitement?
I hope we have a sort of child like wonder that believes and accepts that all things are possible with God, and he wants the best for us, for our loved ones, for the church and the world.

I believe, like the apostles, we have some things to do while we are waiting for the fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit into our lives. They are not necessarily easy, but they are real.

The first is to embrace trust in the will of God. He will, without doubt, call us to live closer to him, and will encourage us to build his Kingdom – and he will equip us for every task he wants us to perform. So fear not and accept his will.

The second is to wonder about our plans whatever they are. Are they more about what we want, more about our own ego, our own desires – even if we dress them up in ‘Church speak’
You see if we are very committed to doing what we think, we may have less freedom to hear what Jesus is saying to us. So take a little time aw we wait for Sunday, and speak with God, but more importantly listen.

Thirdly, look forward with Joy. If we allow the Holy Spirit to guide, comfort, lead and help us, we are doing what Jesus calls us to do, so that ‘Our joy may be complete’.

My final point is that sometimes the Holy Spirit becomes very active in our lives, but we don’t recognise it as that. We just think it is the process of living, or choices that we are making. But please believe me – the Holy Spirit is alive and active. We know this because he has already called you to be part of this fellowship. So, be open to him, trust him, love him, be moved and excited by him, and let go of any fear. It is through the Holy Spirit that Jess makes real his promise to be with us to the end of time.

Tomorrow’s vide will take us further along this path, and also start our thinking about the Chaplaincy being 50years old,

Bless you, Bless you, Bless you,

Fr Marcus