Before the Pentecost account is given in Acts, we are told how Jesus' followers were gathered together at prayer (cf. Acts 1:12-26). This seems similar to the setting at the first Pentecost at Jesus' Baptism when we are told that Jesus was at prayer after all the people were already baptized (cf. Luke 3:21). This correspondence between Luke and Acts continues in the next series of events. Luke has been considered the traditional author of Acts even though his name is never mentioned!

In Acts 2:1-4 there is a third account given of a Pentecostal experience. This reminds us of the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus at His Baptism in the River Jordan (Luke 3:22).

We read in Luke's Gospel: “… and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, "You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased." (Luke 3:22) This echoes similar accounts given in Matthew and Mark. Matthew writes: “… and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased."” (Matthew 3:17) Luke writes: ”…and a voice came out of the heavens: "You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased."” (Mark 1:11)

All Baptism narratives refer to Isaiah, our beloved Fifth Apostle (I just had to throw that one in there): ”Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations.” (Isaiah 42:1-6)

But these are not the only two related Pentecostal experiences. There is another account in Acts 4:24-32 where the apostles prayed together after Peter and John were released. The room shook like it did at the first communal/apostolic Pentecost. The Holy Spirit always seems to be shaking things around a bit. A symbol of shaking us up from the status quo?

So, what was the significance of Pentecost at today's Gospel reading? Does it have any relationship to the Jewish Feast of Pentecost, which was also celebrated fifty days after Passover/Pascha? Pentecost was the celebration of the Law being given by God to Moses and company. Might our Pentecost be a new Law being given by God to the Church?

We sing at Vespers for Pentecost that the prophets show us the way to salvation, whereas the grace of the Holy Spirit “has shown upon us through the apostles” (5th stichera, at Ps. 140). The feast of Pentecost is truly the beginning of the Byzantine doctrine of Theosis. This can be seen even in our “Heavenly King” hymn:

“Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, You are everywhere present and fill all things. Treasury of blessings and Giver of life, come and dwell within us, cleanse us of all stain, and save our souls, O gracious Lord.”

The response we give is the worship of the Trinity:

“We have seen the true light; we have received the heavenly Spirit; we have found the true faith; and we worship the undivided Trinity; for the Trinity has saved us.”

The Trinity was revealed to us. This doesn't mean that we totally understand the Trinity in essence. Before any great prayer in the Byzantine Church regarding the salvific works of Jesus Christ there is a disclaimer about our inability to penetrate into the great mystery of God's eternal being. At the first Kneeling Prayer today, the priest prays right off the bat:

“O Lord, most pure, incorruptible, without beginning, invisible, incomprehensible, unsearchable, unchangeable, unsurpassable, immeasurable, and forebearing …”

This initial disclaimer is similar to another disclaimer about our inability to put God in a petri-dish; and that one is in the Anaphora:

“… You are God ineffable, inconceivable, invisible, incomprehensible, ever existing, yet ever the same, …”

But despite it all, the gift of the Holy Spirit gives us the courage and ability to preach Christ crucified, Christ Resurrected, Christ Ascended and all the other wonderful things that God has done for us.

Have you opened yourself up to become a partaker of God's divine nature?

How do you celebrate and expound your faith?

Is Pentecost something that only Pentecostals do? Funny, how our hymns at the feast speak of lying prostrate (cf. 7th stichera at Ps. 140) and kneeling (cf. 2nd stichera at the Litija). Where did the Pentecostals go wrong? Why has Pentecostalism become a personal thing (being slain by the Spirit) whereas in the Scriptures it was always within the community and nobody got knocked over?

Joe

I try as best I can to let God take over.

I read in the third book of our catechism Light For Life, The Mystery Lived, about the stage of spiritual growth called Abandonment, or copmlete surrender to God. This occurring after one has wrested control of the passions from the body and the mind governs the actions of the body.

The quesiton you asked is a good one. I did'nt personally feel the Holy Spirit shoosh down upon me today, nor did the foundations of the Church shake. Sometimes, I look forward to the Divine Liturgy all week long and then when present at it, I find it hard to concentrate and often upset, or frustrated with the affairs at church, Liturgy, etc. Today was one of those Sundays. Complete surrender to God . . . I wonder how many of us actually do that, or think that they do?

Glory To Jesus Christ!
ALity

[ 05-19-2002: Message edited by: ALity ]

Good points, ALity,

How do we reconcile doing God's will with ours? We don't experience temples that shake, but we do call down (epiclesis) the Holy Spirit to do His job. The Abandonment you speak about reminds me of the First Step to recovery thru Theosis: Synergy with the Holy Spirit.

How do others look upon that individual pentecostal experience? Is it a private affair or one that is experienced within a community of faith? How do the sacred mysteries come into play?

Joe

I have no idea??? I guess which ever way the Holy Spirit wills. St. Paul definately had a personal "pentecostal" experience on the road to Damascus but the actual feast of Pentecost that we celebrate is communal event. After all, the Spirit descended upon all the apostles at once who were in a room together praying.

ALity

This whole question about discerning the Spirit has been with our Church since apostolic times -

"If through fear of God you cut off your own will...God will give you His will. You will keep it indelibly in your heart, opening the eyes of your mind so that you recognize it; and you will be given the strength to fulfil it. The grace of the Holy Spirit operates these things: without it, nothing is accomplished" St. Symeon the New Theologian from Volume IV of the Philokalia.
Subdeacon Randolph, a sinner

Dear Friends,

Cantor Joe's question reminds me of the question posed to St Seraphim of Sarov by Motovilov in that lonely forest so many years ago.

He asked the great Elder how he could know that he had the Holy Spirit.

The Elder then grabbed hold of him and told him to look at him.

"Imagine looking at the centre of the sun," Motovilov said.

It was snowing all around, but he felt no cold in the face of that radiant warmth.

All the Gifts of the Spirit are related to the Church and its building up.

Our holiness, although personal, has to do with the same goal as well.

It is the Church that communicates to us the deifying grace of the Holy Spirit through "social means" such as the Mysteries, the liturgical prayers and others.

We respond through our participation in the Life of the Trinity, a "social God" and the society which is the Communion of Saints.

Alex

Just got back to the computer tonight and saw this... I am finally able to type better. The recovery has been good from my accident.

The outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost built up the individuals, so they could build up the Church. Peter was a coward before that day, he denied Christ three times. But, because Peter was there, Christ could make him right. On Penetcost through the power of the Holy Spirit, he stood up and proclaimed the Church.

Today the Holy Spirit desires to do the same in our lives. It is the proverbial glass of milk with choclate syrup sitting on the bottom(choclate milk sounds good right now), anyway....
At Baptism we "put on Christ" and Chrismation we are "sealed with the Holy Spirit." Just as we have to make a conscience dicision to live for Christ we have to make a conscience dicision to live through the Holy Spirit. As with the milk and syrup,it has to be stirred to become choclate milk. So to with our lives, we must ALLOW the Holy Spirit to stir up within us his zeal. This way we live in the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit, and he does Christ's work with us and through us.

If you want to know the power of Jesus and his Holy Spirit just pray the Scriptures and ask him for more of HIS HOlY SPIRIT. We are "earthen vessels," we leak! We must be continually refilled through the Sacraments of the Church. The funny thing is, that without the Holy Spirit, there are no Sacraments!!!!! All we have to do is say yes to a fresh outpouring on our lives and he will not disappoint us.

Holy Spirit, I want more of Jesus!!!!!
In the power of Jesus Christ and his Holy Spirit,
Rose

[ 05-24-2002: Message edited by: Rose ]

Dear Rose,

How wonderful!

What are some ways in which we may pray the Scriptures?

Alex

Dear Alex,

I think we could spend and eternity just praying the Scriptures from the Liturgy. With 220 used in it, taking one aday and meditating on it will take most of the year. Imagine standing around the alter of God in heaven, as in Revalations. Joined with the communion of saints from all eternity, praising God. It is in praising and thanking him that we are set free from the bondages of this world. He says in all things to give thanks to God for he is good, his love is everlasting. One of the ways we come to know that peace and joy is by contemplating what is written below. If our mind wonders, open our eyes and let the fall on a word. That word takes on a new and deeper meaning. He says again, "eyes have not seen and ears have not heard." Each time we dwell on one part we come to a new understanding. God is infinate, we will never completely understand his ways and his beauty. We are just called to love and adore him, he will take care of everything else.

Rose
Meanwhile the presbyter recites quietly the prayer of the Trisagion.

Presbyter: 0 God Most Holy who abide in the saints, whom the seraphim praise with the thrice-holy hymn, whom the cherubim glorify, whom all the heavenly powers worship; who brought all things into being out of nothingness; who created man to Your own image and likeness and adorned Him with all your favors; who give wisdom and understanding to anyone asking for them; who do not turn away from the sinner but have set up penance for salvation; who have rendered us, your lowly and worthless servants, worthy to stand at this time before the glory of Your Holy Altar and to offer You due worship and praise: do You, Master, receive from the mouth of us sinners the thrice-holy hymn, and visit us in Your kindness. Forgive us every transgression, deliberate and indeliberate; sanctify our souls and bodies; and grant that we may serve You in holiness all the days of our life, through the prayers of the Holy Theotokos and of all the saints who have pleased you since the world began.

Deacon:
Let us pray to the Lord: