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.
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