Reflection : Come Spirit

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Come Spirit

Introduction

The disciples gathered to celebrate the Jewish festival of Shavuot which was 49 days after Passover. It was to celebrate the wheat harvest but It was also the first day on which individuals could bring the first fruits to the Temple in Jerusalem, the first fruits were brought from the seven species for which the Land of Israel is praised. Traditional Jews still celebrate Shavuot by light candles, adorning their homes with greenery and reading the scriptures together.

This reflection focuses on a modern painting that encapsulates this sense of offering and celebration.

There are a range of resources included here, feel free to pick and choose whatever is appropriate for your context.

Prayer

Kindle in us a love for the wild beauty of the creation of God.

Fan the flame of passion for community.

Heat us to white hot with yearning for culture to be transformed

And people to know the God who breathed life into them and the world they walk upon.

Spark in us a fire which rages with all consuming heat against injustice, oppression and evil.

Bright flame, for whom Aidan of Lindisfarne was named,

Passed on from generation to generation,

From winter to winter,

From day to day,

Set alight in us the love of the Christ who walks in the world,

Blow on us with the wind which filled the sails of the Perigrinati and spread the Gospel throughout the world.

Poem

Spirit… spirit… spirit… spirit…

The crunch of word

the splash of light

the run of water

Spirit… spirit… spirit… spirit…

The breaking of word

the flow of light

the rush of water

Spirit… spirit… spirit… spirit…

Come Spirit

scoundrel of grace

invade and infect us

with goosebumps and justice

Come Spirit

spark in the chaos

and unstop our ears

to the song in creation

Come Spirit

rascal of heaven

bring us to the edge

of all things created

Come Spirit of grace

Come Spirit of life

Come Spirit of creation

Come now… now… now… now

https://abbotsford.typepad.com/abbotsford/2009/05/on-the-eve-of-pentecost.html

IMAGE

The image used for this reflection is ‘Pentecost’ by Ho Qi

Reflection questions

What do the artist’s choice of colours say to you?  

How does this image help us to consider the multi-cultural nature of the Holy Spirit?

What other metaphors for the Holy Spirit are there (this image uses the dove and flame)?

What does this image have to say into your context of mission or ministry?

Where are each of the people in the painting?

What might the bridge represent?

Prayer

Behind doors closed & locked in fear, peace dwell with you. On this path where the footing is tricky, peace walk with you. Through the mist with its disorienting shadows, peace gaze calmly with you. At the table, whether crowded or quiet, peace sit with you. No matter the turbulence or shifting ground, peace stand with you. In every breath, in each wound & every exuberance, peace be alive with you.   quote Unless the eye catch fire, God will not be seen. Unless the ear catch fire, God will not be heard. Unless the tongue catch fire, God will not be named. Unless the heart catch fire, God will not be loved Unless the mind catch fire, God will not be known. William Blake

Further Resources

• Other Holy Spirit reflections can be found at anewloom.org

• Royalty free images on the Holy Spirit can be found at https://pixabay.com/images/search/holy%20spirit/

• Songs

  1. Be still for the presence of the Lord (David Evans 1986)

  2. Consuming Fire (Tim Hughes 2004)

  3. Consuming Fire (Third Day 1995)

  4. Come thou fount of every blessing (Robert Robinson 18th Century)

  5. An interactive ezine on the theme of Pentecost can be found at

https://indd.adobe.com/view/00902f6e-de5f-43df-a8f6-e049a799fa10