Tell Out My Soul

Acts 2:1-21

Pentecost Sunday is the day that we celebrate the Church’s birthday. On this holy day the Holy Spirit came to us and filled the hearts of the faithful, giving us the tools we need to establish Christ’s Church and to carry on his mission of bringing the Good News to all peoples. This Sunday we decorated our church with balloons and streamers to emphasise the fact that this was the first day, a day of new life, and the start of something wondrous and pivotal. Jesus calls us, through his Holy Spirit, to bring the news of salvation to everyone, no matter what language they speak, no matter what creed, or race, or where they come from. And what a responsibility this is!

Even though this mission is not going to be easy, and there will be persecution and suffering in one form or another, the main message that Jesus gives us is, “do not be afraid.” We can’t see Jesus in the flesh anymore, but he promised to send us a helper; and what a mighty event it was when the Paraclete alighted on the disciples, Mary and the other women in the upper room. It was a totally life changing event for those present and for the hundreds who witnessed the results. Nothing was ever going to be the same again. The doubt and confusion that may have formerly clouded the minds of the disciples vanished and all was revealed to them. They knew what they had to do.

Do we know what we have to do? Sometimes we plead with God, “Oh Lord, tell me what I have to do.” I know I wake up regularly with that question in my mind. The world is a confusing place and being God’s servant is not always a clear cut pursuit. But it’s easy to forget how close the Holy Spirit is to us. He is a person, just like Jesus and our Father. The Trinity fundamentally is three persons in one. The Spirit has a personality and He has a job to do just like we do and his job is to guide us, to comfort us, to fill us with drive and motivation to do God’s will. The Holy Spirit is really an unsung hero, and it’s easy to overlook the essential nature of his presence and impact in our lives. When we’re down, lonely, desperate, seeking, afraid or lost, we can rely on the Holy Spirit to help us and give us the wisdom and strength we need.

Call on the Spirit! He will answer. In quiet moments, listen for the whisperings, and when the storms blow, listen to the wind from heaven. Look up to the bright beaming light and be open to the fire that enters the soul. It is at these moments, when we are open to the counsel of the Holy Spirit, our protector and guide, that we hear the answer to that question, “What must I do?”

God bless you all, my friends in Christ.