PENTECOST 2006
From the Editor...
Pentecost Was A
Surprise
One of the great Canadian Anglican pulpiteers of our time,
Harry Robinson, was once asked what the greatest obstacle for him was
in
preaching. He didn't even
hesitate. “Overfamiliarity with the
text,” he responded.
If that is true on any great feast day it is true on
Pentecost. We read the story knowing
what is going to come, forgetting that those there at the time had no
idea what
would occur next.
Jesus said “behold, I send the promise of my Father upon
you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on
high.” Then he left. They did not comprehend his
words. Luke tells us at the key moment his disciples were not
standing,
they were sitting.
When the Holy Spirit came, Luke stretches language to its
limit to try to capture what occurred: “a sound came from heaven like
the rush
of a mighty wind;” “tongues as of fire.” This was not anticipated
and therefore those present were filled
with wonder and astonishment.
Earlier Jesus had said “the wind blows where it wills, and
you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or
whither it
goes; so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit.” And so,
too, is it when the Holy Spirit
blows into our lives.
After one particularly stressful day recently, I was sitting
with my wife watching a taped favorite television program, “24.”
We were at a tense moment in the show. It was late. Then
the phone rang.
I was not thinking the most pleasant thoughts. I was
frustrated. We stopped the show and I looked to see the number
indicating
that our oldest daughter, who is away from home at school, was
calling. I’ll bet you guessed I didn't answer as
hospitably as I should have.
The voice on the other end of the phone wanted to speak to
her father. I said hello and she
proceeded to read me a passage from a 19th century author she had just
discovered. She was breathless. “Isn’t that fantastic?” she
asked. “I knew you would appreciate it the most — I
just had to call and share it.”
Soon thereafter the voice was gone. I was filled with sudden
wonder, touched
through joy by surprise.
I think of moments like that when I remember
Pentecost, and I pray in this wonderful season that God will grant us
new
openness to whatever unexpected encounters the Spirit provides for us.
The
Rev. Canon Dr.
Kendall S. Harmon
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