Sunday, May 19, 2024

Spiritual Sticking Power

Sermon for Whit-Sunday

By now,
we should understand 
how our relationship 
with the Holy Ghost 
pans out.

He's there
moving over 
the face of the waters,
the unformed 
and pure potential 
from which
all Creation springs.

We next see Him 
visible in the explanation 
of dreams
in Joseph.

Here, he is recognised 
by Pharaoh,
not by Jacob
and his other sons.

Then we see Him
in the craftsman
Bezaleel 
in building
and decorating 
the instruments 
for the Worship of God,
chosen by God
so that,
through his skill,
he might show to us
the vision that God has
for worshipping Him.

In the books 
of the history of Israel
He is known as 
the Spirit of the Lord.

We also see that
He falls upon 
Baalam, Saul,
Azariah, Zechariah
and even dear old Job
claims that He was made
by the Spirit of God.

So it's not as if
the presence of 
the Holy Ghost
should be a surprise to us.

Why does it matter now?

Why is Whitsun important?

[PAUSE]

We see in the Apostles
something old.

Prophecy.

No, not telling the future,
but telling the truth,
explaining the mystery.

St Peter becomes 
a prophet 
in the same manner
as St John the Baptist 
but more so.

In the Old Testament 
the Spirit of God 
would descend,
do the work
and then no more.

We see this in 
Baalam
who could only
bless Israel 
rather than curse
as he was bidden to do.

He still remains
an enemy of Israel 
and meets his end
in Hebrew hands.

Similarly, 
the Holy Ghost
descends upon King Saul
and yet still he loses his kingdom 
to David.

The Holy Ghost descends 
upon people
but it's as if 
there's nothing for the Holy Ghost 
to stick to.

[PAUSE]

This is not like the Apostles.

The idea of prophecy 
might not be new
but what is new
is the company of the Apostles.

The Holy Ghost 
stays with them
and works through them 
because they have gained
some sticking power.

What is this sticking power?

It comes from Christ Himself.

The Incarnation of Our Lord 
is precisely the difference 
between the 
Old and New Covenants.

Just as King David
was not able to build the temple 
for God 
but his son Solomon was,
so Christ builds His Church
not on the Old Covenant 
but upon His blood
which the Apostles receive
at the Last Supper.

This fulfils Our Lord's promise
to be with us
to the end of the Age.

This is why
Whitsun is called
the Birthday of the Church
even if the Church
had always sort of existed
in the Israelite people 
and the Levitical priesthood.

It's when the Church
becomes visible to the world
just as He is visible 
to Pharaoh centuries before.

As Pharaoh hears the prophecy 
of the need to obey
God's plans 
for the good of his people.

Likewise,
the people from all around
the Middle East
hear the mystery explained
in their own language 
for them
to obey and receive 
not just hope in dark times,
not just good news of joy to come
but the real, visible
and permanent
presence of God with us.

[PAUSE]

And we, too,
see the movement 
of the Holy Ghost 
in our little church
as we see new opportunities 
new ways to live the old faith,
not by abandoning 
the faith once delivered to the saints,
not by altering the covenant 
of the sacraments
to fit modem sensibilities 
but by being here
and speaking the wonderful words of God
to the people of today
with the same faith,
same hope
and same love 
that move on the face
of the waters of Creation itself.

And we turn to God the Holy Ghost
and we thank Him
profusely for dwelling with us
and devote ourselves 
to His will 
in His service
for His glory
and the joy of Mankind.

No comments: