A Thought for Pentecost

[Tyburn]

Veni Sancte Spiritum
maranatha

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8BXalQRa4w

Come Holy Ghost, our souls to inspire
and lighten with celestial fire
though the anointing Spirit art
who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart

thy blessed unction from above
is comfort live and fire of love
enable with pepetual light
the dullness of our blinded sight

annoint and cheer our soiled face
with the abundance of thy grace
keep far our foes, give peace at home
where though art guide no ill can come

Teach us to know Father, Son
and thee of both, to be but one
that through the ages all along
this may be our endless song

Today, the Day of Pentecost, is the Birthday of The Church. The first Christians to receive the Spirit and a whole new piece of History begins. But what does it mean to receive the Spirit? The New Testament uses some very striking imagery, receiving the Spirit feels like flames are coming out of your head, or like being drunk at 9am. It is true that down history people have sometimes had experiences like this on their way of Faith, but, and the New Testament and Christian Tradition go out of their way to make this clear, receiving the Spirit is not about particular feelings, but about a change in the way we live. Noone can see the Spirit it is like a wind blowing where it will. We can only see the Spirit in its effect on peoples lives. So it is the Spirit who makes us more charitable, loving and generous, it is The Spirit who leads us to serve others needs before out own. It is the Spirit who gradually forms us to be like Christ.

"and so the yearning strong
with which the soul will long
shall far outpass the power of human telling
for none can guess its grace
till he becomes the place
wherein the Holy Spirit makes his dwelling..."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3pS-Ga7OUM