Tuesday, May 25, 2021
COME, HOLY SPIRIT
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26 (NRSV)
Two days ago, we marked Pentecost Sunday. It was originally a Jewish holiday, 50 days after Passover, which marked the first wheat harvest. The apostles were celebrating the holiday when the Holy Spirit came to them. Afterward, the Advocate went with each apostle as Christian congregations were planted throughout the Roman Empire and beyond.
Charles Wesley wrote a hymn about this event in 1740, which nicely summarizes its impact centuries later. Wesley used the King James Bible which translates the third person of the Trinity as Holy Ghost. Whether termed Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit, those lyrics speak to us today as we seek God’s Light to overcome the darkness of our nation’s current division and discord:
Come, Holy Ghost, our hearts inspire
Let us thine influence prove
Source of the old prophetic fire
Fountain of life and love.
Expand thy wings, celestial Dove
Brood o’er our nation’s night.
On our disordered spirit move
And let there now be light.
God, through the Spirit, we shall know
If Thou within us shine –
And sound, with all Thy saints below
The depth of love divine.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, be our Advocate and help in these times of need. May Christ’s love shine in our lives so that others may come to know Him. Amen.
Carol Rice
