Pentecost

Pentecost

At the end of May we will celebrate Pentecost. The word literally means 50 days, for it takes place 50 days after Easter, being Christ’s resurrection. With Pentecost we remember that God’s Spirit was poured out on the church. It enabled the disciples, gathered in Jerusalem, to proclaim the good news about the resurrection of the Messiah, and what it means for the world.

Does this mean that before the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God was not present? No, on the contrary, the Spirit of God has always been with us. From before the creation God’s Spirit was present. That is why we need to say, that there is no God-free zone. That is really amazing, for most of the time we go through life thinking that we have to search for God. Often it seems that he is absent. To some it appears as if God is asleep. This is quite logical for in the midst of war or an earthquake or any disaster, it seems to us that God is absent. And we ask: where is God in all of this?

Well, it may appear that he is absent, but he is not really. We may not see him, in his actions. We may not hear him in the sounds of love around us, but that does not mean that God is absent. He has always been present and he will always be around us, with us. In fact through his Spirit he dwells with us. He has made his dwelling place in our midst. There is no God-free zone anywhere!

However, this does not mean that he is always present in a manner that we recognise. We speak of the hidden presence of God. Yet, no sooner do we want to call him or speak to him or he is listening and present. And the more we walk with him and talk to him, the closer do we experience that presence and nearness of God.

That there is no God-free zone also means that God is present in many ways where perhaps at first we would not expect. God is present in music, in art, in culture. This is immediately clear when we go and visit old cathedrals, where art has been used to glorify God directly in images and colours. Yet if we reflect a little longer or harder we might also see God in the art, music and culture around us. I believe that this is a challenge we often pass over or forget. Speaking of culture, a good example is the aboriginal culture. It is possible to see and hear the presence of God in their spirituality, Dreamtime and art. We often overlook God is present in the culture of other people and their spirituality.

The blessings we receive from the Spirit are myriad. All the benefits that Christ has obtained for us, in his work, his suffering and resurrection are passed on to us via the work of the Holy Spirit. We look to the Spirit for guidance, for support in our prayers, for inspiration for our messages, for our life in the church. And the fact that the Spirit has been poured out at Pentecost, on the church, means that we have the Spirit – and therefore the presence of God – in an abundant manner. Rejoice in the celebration of Pentecost.

(Rev) John Vander Reest