The Gift of the Spirit comes upon us once again this weekend! We are NOT alone. We have NOT been abandoned by God. We are in his loving embrace and we are strong! The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit are poured upon the church at Pentecost, first in the earliest Church portrayed so beautifully in the Scriptures this weekend, and then in our Church throughout the ages whenever a new disciple is baptized and or confirmed. Wisdom and Understanding, Right Judgment and Knowledge, Piety and Fortitude, the Fear of the Lord, are tools for us to use everyday. And as tools, they will help us to accomplish what we cannot do with our hands and minds, heart and voices alone. In a most confusing and insecure time as we live in now, how much do we need the assurances of our God that God will see us through, safely and securely? What better way for our God to remain with a people particularly God’s own, than to permeate our every fiber and being? These Gifts given are not magic, however. They require a fully active participation in their coming to full power for us as individuals and as a people of God. If we are not trusting in the courage given by God to face difficult times, for example, even in the face of our earthly death, then how can God comfort us and give us hope. But when we look darkness and doubt in the face and garner a confidence that can only come from God, it is then that we will see difficulty and death for what they are: beaten realities that have already lost in the plan of God for our eternal life. Our God continues to wait in patient urgency, for us to finally “get it”, to finally trust in God enough that we start living our life in this existence with Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Right Judgment, Piety, and Fortitude that can come only from God and nowhere else. God waits until we fully acknowledge who God is, and who we are in relationship with God. To Fear the Lord, that is, to know of God’s awesome power, abundant love, and trustworthiness in every one of God’s promises. Sometime this weekend, then, lift your face to the Heavens and close your eyes. Picture the Spirit of God descending from on high, and feel it connect with the part of yourself that already belongs to God through your baptism and confirmation. Allow the power of God to envelope you like never before, and trust, that empowered by the God who knows all about you, who created you and knows exactly what you need, there is no reason to fear a thing is this world. Everything may change, but in God’s Spirit, such change will bring about life and light. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on us All!

© 2008 Peter J. Andrews