Keeping the Season

"Veni Sancte Spiritus" by Fr Lawrence Lew, O.P., on Flickr

Come, Holy Spirit,
send forth the heavenly
radiance of your light.

Come, father of the poor,
come, giver of gifts,
come, light of the heart.

Greatest comforter,
sweet guest of the soul,
sweet consolation.

In labor, rest,
in heat, temperance,
in tears, solace.

O most blessed light,
fill the inmost heart
of your faithful.

Without your grace,
there is nothing in us,
nothing that is not harmful.

Cleanse that which is unclean,
water that which is dry,
heal that which is wounded.

Bend that which is inflexible,
fire that which is chilled,
correct what goes astray.

Give to your faithful,
those who trust in you,
the sevenfold gifts.

Grant the reward of virtue,
grant the deliverance of salvation,
grant eternal joy.

(from the Roman Liturgy for the Masses of Pentecost)

"Pentecost" by Fr Lawrence Lew, O.P., on Flickr

Acts 2:1-21
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs — in our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power." All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" But others sneered and said, "They are filled with new wine."

But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o'clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

'In the last days it will be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.
Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
in those days I will pour out my Spirit;and they shall prophesy.
And I will show portents in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
The sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,before the coming of the Lord's great and glorious day.
Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'

"Floating Lantern Ceremony" by Ron Paul, on Flickr

"peace" by Olympia, on Flickr

John 20:19-22
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit."

"incense" by Doctor Canon, on Flickr

Send Us Your Spirit
David Haas

Come Lord Jesus. Send us your Spirit. Renew the face of the earth.
Come Lord Jesus. Send us your Spirit. Renew the face of the earth.

Come to us, Spirit of God. Breathe in us now. We sing together.
Spirit of hope and of light, be in our lives.
Come to us, Spirit of God.

Come Lord Jesus. Send us your Spirit. Renew the face of the earth.
Come Lord Jesus. Send us your Spirit. Renew the face of the earth.

Fill us with the fire of your love. Burn in us now. Bring us together.
Come to us; dwell in us. Change our lives, oh Lord.
Come to us, Spirit of God.

Come Lord Jesus. Send us your Spirit. Renew the face of the earth.
Come Lord Jesus. Send us your Spirit. Renew the face of the earth.

Send us the wings of new birth.
Fill all the earth with the love you have taught us.
Let all creation now be shaken with love.
Come to us, Spirit of God.

Come Lord Jesus. Send us your Spirit. Renew the face of the earth.
Come Lord Jesus. Send us your Spirit. Renew the face of the earth.

"Pentecost" by Lawrence OP, on Flickr

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs — in our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power." All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" But others sneered and said, "They are filled with new wine."

But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o'clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

'In the last days it will be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.
Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
in those days I will pour out my Spirit;and they shall prophesy.
And I will show portents in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
The sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,before the coming of the Lord's great and glorious day.
Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'"
(Acts 2:1-21)

by Zomusia

"Baptism of Christ (Detail)" by Art History Images (Holly Hayes), on Flickr

As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, "I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." (Luke 13:15-17,21-22)

As [Jesus] came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!" Then Jesus asked him, "Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down."

When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished? Then Jesus began to say to them, "Beware that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, 'I am he!' and they will lead many astray. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.

--Mark 13:1-8

"The crowds in the stone ring" by Christopher_Hawkins, on Flickr

"Pentecost bonfire" by Rrrodrigo on flickr

Remembering the Holy Spirit poured out on us like fire, we give thanks for the brightness of God’s love shown to us in Christ Jesus. Let us lift up our hearts around this gift of fire as together we pray:
Fire of the Spirit,
be with us and hear us.

We praise you, Lord God, for your faithfulness throughout all generations, and for the fire of your love which cannot be quenched.
Fire of the Spirit,
be with us and hear us.

In a burning bush that was not consumed, you called and empowered your servant, Moses. Ignite our hearts that we might hear your call.
Fire of the Spirit,
be with us and hear us.

By a pillar of fire, you led your chosen people out of slavery, through the wilderness and into the promised land. Lead us onward with a sure and certain hope of your promise and protection.
Fire of the Spirit,
be with us and hear us.

In the fiery furnace, you stood with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego as they stood up for their faith. Stay near us as we strive for faithfulness even in our own trials by fire.
Fire of the Spirit,
be with us and hear us.

By a chariot of fire you raised your servant Elijah into the clouds when his work on this earth had been completed. Help us to be faithful in the tasks you have set before us until at last we rise to eternal rest with you.
Fire of the Spirit,
be with us and hear us.

Through the words of your prophet John, you promised to baptize your people with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Help us live each day in the warmth and glow of our identities as children of God.
Fire of the Spirit,
be with us and hear us.

By a fire in the courtyard, Peter denied his faith and yet you showed him your mercy. Embrace us in the warmth of your mercy when we falter and fear.
Fire of the Spirit,
be with us and hear us.

Around a campfire, the resurrected Jesus appeared to his disciples and ate a meal with them. Let us see resurrection each day and sustain us with the hope of eternal life.
Fire of the Spirit,
be with us and hear us.

Through descending tongues of fire, you sent forth your Spirit and ignited your holy church. Ignite our hearts and embolden us to be your witnesses.
Fire of the Spirit,
be with us and hear us.

Eternal God, in Jesus Christ you have given the light of life to all the world. Bless this fire, and let us shine forth with the brightness of Christ’s rising, until we feast at the banquet of eternal light; through the Sun of righteousness, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

(written by Melissa Bills; final petition adapted from the Easter Vigil liturgy, Evangelical Lutheran Worship)