Sunday, May 24, 2015

Pentecost

Enjoy watching TV series AD – story of the early church.
Before Pentecost – Apostles frightened – behind closed doors
After – fearless in speaking about Jesus
Difference? The Holy Spirit

After Passover – children of Israel wandered 40 days in desert
Moses went up Mount Sinai – he is Given the law by God  - after 10 days he gives the Law to the people          “heaven has come down to earth”
Our Jewish friends called this day Pentecost  - 50 Days after Passover

In the same way – after His Resurrection - Jesus spent 40 days on earth –
Returned to heaven – the Ascension.
10 days later: heaven comes down to earth again – not the Law but the Holy Spirit
1st law written in stone -   this new law written on minds and hearts
Sinai was for Israel -   Pentecost is for the whole world!

Bible speaks of receiving 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit.
They are gifts – given by Holy Spirit – as long as we stay in the state of grace, they are very much active!

- Help us to become holy  -  help us share in the very life of God   now & in eternal life     “All the way to heaven is heaven”

1) Wisdom -   seek out wise people to understand life  -  seek the wisdom of God
2) Understanding -  see the hand of God at work in my life & to trust!!!
3) Counsel – to judge individual acts – will this act lead me to heaven or not?
4) Fortitude – to overcome difficulties or endure pain & suffering w strength from God
5) Knowledge – use created things in holy and good way – see God who created them
6) Piety – love God = love neighbor   - worship God and see each other as children of God
7) Wonder and Awe – Fear of the Lord -   do not want to be separated from God -  a healthy fear – don’t want to take advantage of God

Augustine  soon after conversion  walking down street in Milan.
A person he committed many sins with called out   “Augustine!”    “It is I!”
Augustine  “Yes, but it is no longer I”

A new creation  --  why we say  Come Holy Spirit!