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SCRIPTURE READINGS
ACTS 2:1-21
ROMANS 8:14:1-17
JOHN 14:15-17, 25-27

REFLECTION

Pentecost Day was traditionally celebrated by the Jews fifty days after the Passover. Pentecost comes from the Greek word for fifty. It was a festival of bringing the first fruits to the Lord and also commemorating the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. Jews and proselytes Jews from different places come to Jerusalem to observe the day. It was this day that God chose to start or birth the church by the outpour of the Holy Spirit which has become known as the day of Pentecost or Whit Sunday. The theme for our Day of Pentecost is “Openness to the Spirit.” To be open means to be accessible. Openness to the Spirit means we are required to be accessible to the Holy Spirit. We shall reflect on the following facts:

1. We are equipped for the mission of God when we are open to the Spirit

2. The Spirit renders us the children of God and co-heirs with Jesus Christ.

3. The Spirit helps and directs us when we are open to Him.

Firstly, when we are open to the Spirit of God through obedience to the Word of God, we shall be empowered and equipped for the mission of God. In Acts 2:1-21 we see the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the believers and the Apostles. Consequently, Peter and the other Apostles who were hitherto timid and hid because of fear of persecution were now empowered through the Holy Spirit to preach the Gospel to the Jews. Beloved in the Lord we shall experience the manifestation of Prophet Joel’s prophecy when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour and open our hearts to the Holy Spirit. Peter assured us through the words of the prophet of Joel that ” ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days,

and they will prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in the heavens above

and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke.

20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ (Acts 2:17-21)  In other words, irrespective of age and gender, once you are open or accessible to the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ, you shall be equipped or empowered with the gifts of the Holy Spirit for God’s mission and glory and for the edification of the church and yourself.

Secondly, in addition to being empowered or equipped by the Spirit to fulfil God’s mission on earth when we are open to Him, we are also made the children of God and co-heirs of the Kingdom of God with Jesus Christ when we are open to the Holy Spirit.  This fact is made known to us by Paul when he wrote, “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God…The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs —heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (Romans 8:14,16-17) It means that the Holy Spirit is responsible for sustaining us toward eternal life. We need Him every day in our lives to live a life worthy of our calling as children of God and co-heirs of Jesus Christ.

Third, having been empowered and made children of God and co-heirs of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit helps us and directs our paths when we are open to Him. Jesus assured of the help and direction of the Holy Spirit with He said  “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth…25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:15-17, 25-26)  Beloved in the Lord, it is impossible to journey on this earth as a child of God without our helper the Holy Spirit. We need His empowerment and direction or guidance in every aspect of our lives. We need the Holy Spirit to be our helper and guide in our marriages, work and interactions with the world. In every step of our lives, we need the Holy Spirit because of the uncertainties of life and the numerous temptations and challenges on our paths. To be open to the Spirit at all times, Paul admonished to “Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-22)

In summary, we have learnt that we are equipped for the mission of God when we are open to the Spirit. Again, the Spirit renders us the children of God and co-heirs with Jesus Christ, last but not least, the Spirit helps and directs us when we are open to Him. May the Holy Spirit empower us to remain open to Him even as we await the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.