Introduction
The early Church theologian/apologist, Tertullian (ca. 160 – 200), wrote this concerning how Christians should appear to the majority pagan society: ‘See…how they love one another; and how they are ready to die for each other’. This ethic of self-sacrificing love could well be traced to the Church’s first Pentecost, when the promised Holy Spirit came upon Christ’s first followers. Wouldn’t it be nice if people could say the same of the Church today?
Context
In the wake of yet another terror attack, there are the inspiring stories of loving actions, which can speak louder than words:
- in Manchester, one person died to preserve the life of another,
- and a man ran towards the danger to help injured children.
- In the USA, a mother’s self-sacrificing love for her son is recognised.
Reflection
- In this week’s Gospel reading (John 7.37-39), the thirst-quenching water of which Jesus speaks is equated with the Holy Spirit which came upon the disciples and other followers at Pentecost (Acts 2.1ff.). Note that the life-giving, enabling power of God’s spirit is represented by both water and fire – although they may seem diametrically opposed to our modern minds!
- Jesus’ use of water as an image of spiritual nourishment reminds us of his powerful encounter with the Samaritan woman in John 4. And, of course, water also brings to mind Christ’s baptism (John 1). And Jesus’ first miracle in John’s Gospel is turning water into wine (John 2). In John 5 we read of healings which took place by the pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem. So, in the few chapters preceding this week’s reading, we see the significance of water in the life and ministry of Jesus. As with the sacrament of baptism, for John water is an outward and visible sign of God’s inward and invisible grace.
- At Pentecost Jesus’ followers are baptized by the Holy Spirit – symbolised by the tongues of fire. As with the water of baptism, fire is an outward symbol of the change being wrought inside the first disciples. From that point onwards, Acts relates the disciples’ bold preaching, teaching and healing. These are some of the ‘streams of living water’ which Jesus said would flow from those who believe in him. However, if we don’t ask of ourselves: ‘where are these life-giving waters in the Church of today?’ then we are missing something. If we can only point to these biblical accounts as God’s activity in the past, have we doused the flames of God’s Holy Spirit with our ‘wet’ faith?
- St. Bernard told his novices that they should not flow as does a water channel, which constantly flows and empties itself; rather they should be reservoirs of God’s Spirit, so that they can only give as God fills them. Similarly, the miracle of Pentecost came not from human planning or design, but from God alone. It is God’s spirit which fills the early apostles and the fledgling Church and which attracts new converts. But God needed willing individuals who were willing to wait upon the divine will and action – so that through them, God’s life-giving spirit might be made manifest in followers of Christ.
Prayer
The following prayer can be used during a reflective time, or as a confession.
Creator God, we live in a world which refuses to acknowledge you as the Lord of life; for if we did, then we would have to recognise all people as our sisters and brothers. How differently might life be lived if we saw the world through your eyes of compassion? (Silent reflection)
Loving God, more often than not, when we hear ‘God’ pronounced, it is merely as an exclamation, a text ‘OMG!’ or a swear word. How might our thoughts, words or lives be changed if we gave more thought to your reality in the world and in our lives? (Silent reflection)
Merciful God, we have been told by Jesus that whoever believes in him will have a heart from which will flow ‘rivers of living water’. As we reflect on our church community’s life and our individual lives, have we been streams of life-giving water or arid deserts to those around us? (Silent reflection)
God of Pentecost, your gift of the Holy Spirit gave the first followers of your Son the ability to tell of the Good News to peoples of different nationalities and tongues. How often do we falter in telling the Gospel to those we know well and see daily? (Silent reflection)
Almighty God, the coming of your Holy Spirit brought the courage to face animosity, to preach openly and the power to heal. How often, Lord, do we doubt your power in our lives today and consign your gifts of the Spirit to the dustbin of history? (Silent reflection)
Eternal God,
send once more your Holy Spirit upon us,
ignite our faith and empower our lives.
Forgive us our shortcomings and misdeeds
and remake us to be the people you have envisaged us to be;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Questions
- The coming of the Holy Spirit was hoped for, but not particularly expected on that Pentecost following Christ’s ascension. Are we hopeful or expectant? If not, why not?
- What would it take for us to recognise God’s spirit at work today?
- If we witnessed people experiencing something close to that of the Church’s first Pentecost, might we be quick to condemn such exhibitions as those of drunkards?
Action
It has long been tempting for some Christians to pre-empt God by claiming to know the exact time when events such as the ‘Day of the Lord’ or the ‘Rapture’ might occur. Have a look at some of the web sites, such as ‘Rapture Ready’ – you can use an internet to find many others.
- How do these web sites strike you? Do they enhance or diminish your concept of an all-powerful God?
- Do they support or distract from Christian witness and ministry to the here and now?
- How seriously do you think the builders of these web sites are about the materials they produce? And what would your non-Christian friends think?
Young people
In 1942, at the height of Nazi Germany’s victories, Sophie Scholl and her brother Hans, helped form the secret organisation called The White Rose. They distributed ant-Nazi leaflets which documented their country’s war crimes, including their mass murder of the Jews. For daring to speak out, both Hans (aged 24) and Sophie (21 years) were executed by guillotine in 1943.
Have a look at the on-line biographies of Hans and Sophie, or watch the film based on the final days of their lives. Sophie and Hans sacrificed their lives trying to bring the German people to their moral senses.
Questions: Can you imagine yourself in such a position – of being an ‘enemy of the state’? Would you be willing to be seen as a traitor to your country if your Christian faith and principles were being transgressed? If standing up for the truth meant putting yourself in a position whereby you would be liable to arrest, torture and execution, what might you do?
Dr. Jack Lawson has recently retired as Mission Enabler for the East Anglia District of the Methodist Church, but continues to lecture in Hebrew Bible and is a free-lance author. He is the author of the novel Doing Time, which is based on his years as a chaplain in a southern USA women’s prison.
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