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!
