Tongues, as of Fire?

​“Tongues, As of Fire”?!?
#12thandMass
May 31, 2022
 
This Sunday is Pentecost (from the Greek for fifty). Fifty days after Easter, we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit in wider, more manifest fashion (the Holy Spirit had already been given more quietly to the Apostles in Jesus’ appearance to them after the Resurrection, as described in John 20:22). At Pentecost, “the disciples were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and…divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them.” (Acts 2:1-3).  Quite a sight!   Quite an experience! 
We are each and together invited to receive and experience afresh this Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is to animate our hearts and lives, thus making of us true children of God. By the Holy Spirit, we can cry out to God, “Abba” (Aramaic for “father”, implying both the deepest intimacy and reverent submission).
 
Let us, with awe and with hope, beseech the Holy Spirit—perhaps making use of a portion of an ancient (4th-century) litany:
 
Come Holy Spirit
Author of all good 

Source of Heavenly water
Consuming Fire
Ardent Love  

Spiritual Unction
Spirit of truth
Spirit of wisdom and understanding
The Comforter
The Sanctifier
Gift of God the Most High
Who fills the universe
Come Holy Spirit
 
 
Yours in the Spirit,
 
Dominique+
pastor