AS IT WAS IN THE BEGINNING

We kept no diaries, 
no records of dates and times, 

we, who came and went to the village of our youth.

We seldom mentioned the quiet joy 
of meeting ageing faces.

Now they too have gone
And join their parents from earlier days. 

We who follow them
accept our new positioning 

in the portraiture of time.

For we too belong 
and need only wait our place.
(these few lines are written in memory of Brendan McIntyre, an old school friend of long ago)

FOOTHOLDS FOR THE SPIRIT

The Transforming Power of God's Holy Spirit has deep roots in the human psyche. Awareness of these roots can help our celebration of this feast day.

SIGNS OF THE SPIRIT BEFORE PENTECOST

Who invented the wheel? Whose idea was it?
Perhaps it wasn't invented at all, just discovered.
Someone, somewhere, sometime, noticed that round things could be made to roll and from then on, they did.

What was it like for the person who first felt the excitement
of being blown along by the wind?
How did they feel who first set out upon the oceans swell with a sail above them, 
letting the wind take them where it might?

Who was it first knew the thrill that came with the first sparks of fire,
the first strokes of a swimmer,
or the first words that were clearly meant and clearly understood?

What do you need to gain the love of a beautiful woman?
What can win you the unswerving devotion of a good man?
What price will you pay for the gift of a loyal friend?
How far must you travel to know the secrets of your own heart?
How many tears must flow before a lesson is truly learned? 
Take hold of the wind.

For sure, to some questions there is no answer? Or none that is good enough.
Some questions set us a puzzle to keep us guessing, but others,
the ones that really matter,
ask us to look with wonder into the depths of our own being
and marvel at our existence.

Today is Pentecost.
We do not need to know everything about it to know that
however much we know, we know but little.
For Pentecost asks the one question God asks each one of us;
"will you come with me?"

"Will you allow the wind of my spirit to fill your sails
and take you to the very edge of your own courage?
Will you allow me to propel you in safety across depths you cannot imagine?
Are you willing to lose control of your own destiny,
trusting that I can take you there?"

These are the questions Pentecost asks of us.

For answers, we need to look to him in whom the Father was well pleased,
on whom the spirit descended,
the One who died and is Risen,
Jesus the Lord.

A great prize cannot be purchased with a simple handout.
In the land of eternity neither credit card nor cash is of any use.
On the Cross Jesus showed us clearly how we can take hold of the wind,
capture for ourselves the very breath of God.
Nothing less than everything will do.
The price is total love.
The reward is freedom unimagined.

With Him then, we dare to answer the questions Pentecost asks of us,
with Him we can dare to say;
"Into your hands, I commit my spirit"

©Valentine Farrell 20-05-1999

THOUGHTS FOR PENTECOST

EARTH
From the earth we came,
to the earth we shall return,  
Bless the good earth, O Lord,
with the fire of your longing.
It is the home of our being. 
Shake it to its roots with the power of your Spirit,
Renew its face 
with the bright hope of your promises.
In the red dawn of Pentecost 
we stand in your doorway,
Awe-struck, 
Contrite, 
Humble, 
Thankful, 
Committed.
Make us brave to enter anew, O, Lord,  
This earth, our home,
The cradle of your glory. Amen

WATER
Like the Deer that yearns for running streams,
Thus O Lord, have you taught us to long for you.
Plunge us anew into the waters of this life.
It is the waters, O Lord,
that mould and shape and change the earth,  
our home.
It is the waters that secretly chart
the times of your passing,
the hand of your visitations.
The waters measure the age of our earth,
and the days of our dwelling here.
Baptise us in water, O Lord. Amen

WIND
The wind that stirs the cornfield
The breeze that comes from 
we know not where, 
The breath that relieves our longing lungs
Your Spirit, O Lord means more,
for you are closer than the air we breath,
yet more mysterious than the wind.
Fill our souls with the breath of your presence,
And breath after breath,
help us know the gift of your sustaining Power.
Amen

FIRE
Ice cold the hearts that turn from you O God,
Ice cold the hands that do not touch you in their daily work,
Ice cold the minds that do not seek you in their searching.
Ice cold the laughter that does not know your joy,
Ice cold the pain that feels not your healing presence.
But ice can burn O Lord.
Inflame our coldness 
with the burning passion of your love,
Amen.