The Tribune

By Angela Bosfield Palacious

Jesus has to leave his disciple in order for the Holy Spirit to come and dwell within them. They have to lose his physical presence so as to gain his spiritual presence with them always.

It is hard to let go of the familiar even if there is the promise of better things to come.

Ask the parent whose child is going off to college what mixed emotions are all about. Ask the colleague whose long-term companion at work is about to be transferred or retire.

Ask the grieving spouse whose loved one is now out of all suffering and distress but as the survivor must face the future alone.

We have all had some occasion to be happy for another while feeling sad because our own lives are to be altered forever.

What is it that we have to expect with the coming of the Holy Spirit? What are we supposed to experience and accomplish before the Second Coming of the Lord?

We are to discover the oneness that being in Christ has to offer. Oneness with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit: The oneness of being children of God the Body of Christ and having been baptised by the same Holy Spirit.

The glory of God will be one of the sources of our joy: “The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one…so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved” (John 17: 22-3 NRSV).

The reality of the promise is seen in the example of Paul and Silas who have been beaten, put in stocks in prison, and who are singing and praising God when an earthquake causes all of the chains to fall off. Not only do they and the prisoners remain where they are, but the jailor is prevented from committing suicide and is baptized along with all of his household. He in turn washes their wounds and provides them with food. This is Saul now called Paul, who once persecuted Christians, who is healing, preaching, praising in the name of Jesus. Acts chapter 16:16-34 reveals that conversion may occur in any place, at any time for anyone who is willing to “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ”.

The Book of Revelation confirms that, “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the gift to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates” (Rev 22: 14 NRSV). The washing of the robes in the blood of the Lamb is this act of baptism, and our identification with Jesus in his death and his resurrection. The Holy Spirit prepares us for the use of our gifts in ministry even as the qualities of Christ (the Fruit of the Spirit) are being nurtured in us. Not even death can separate us from oneness in Jesus Christ.

Are you prepared for this Pentecost in your life? Have you believed in the Lord Jesus and been baptised? Ask Jesus to forgive your sins, and give you the new beginning which the Holy Spirit will continue in you. Do you need a fresh anointing? Just ask. Do you need inner healing or cleansing? Just ask. Do you need a fresh start, a new life? Just ask. Remember that anyone, anywhere, anytime is the formula. The Lord says: Let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes the water of life as a gift, come to receive it (Rev. 22: 17b).