By Fr. Courage Dogbey, Assistant Pastor- Immaculate Conception Co-Cathedral
Jesus’ disciples were deeply captivated by His character, grace, love, and miracles. However, authorities began to use and twist His words to discredit Him. The disciples followed Jesus into Jerusalem, feeling queasy but joyfully serving as His entourage as Jesus was celebrated as King.
Jesus told them He would be killed, but promised them a comforter who would lead them into all truth. He told them that if He went away, the Counsellor would not come to them, but if He did, He would send him to convict the world of guilt in regard to sin, righteousness, and judgment.
The Pentecost experience as recorded in Acts 2, was a monumental event in the life of the church. It was the birth of the church. It is beautiful to note how the early Christians were not splintered off in many different directions, but were together, praying, eating, and worshipping. They were doing what Jesus commanded: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.” This is one of the hardest things in our modern life: to simply be together and to wait.
People can get distracted and off-mission because they focus on things that matter far less than God’s purposes. However, direction always comes because God loves to lead His people. When we get impatient, we may miss the leading of the Spirit and miss God’s direction because we are not waiting, listening, or quieting our spirits so that we can be attuned to God’s voice. The good news is that these early Christians were together, waiting, trusting, and anticipating that God would fulfill His promise. The Holy Spirit came and uniquely enabled the disciples to follow Jesus’ teachings and serve as His entourage.
The Holy Spirit came and uniquely enabled the disciples to testify with one voice for the glory of God. This troubled group of disciples became empowered by God and were set on fire for God. They witnessed a unique event in Scripture where God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven heard them speaking in their own languages. This miracle foreshadowed the passion the church has always had to take the gospel into new lands, learn new tongues and cultures, and share the message of Christ with all peoples and nations.
After walking with Jesus, talking with Jesus, and being depressed and depleted at his death, the disciples saw Jesus alive again. Their hope was restored, and those who doubted, like Thomas, were convinced that Jesus was alive again because they saw Him. The disciples were waiting not now for Jesus but for their calling in the light of Jesus’ resurrection. Jesus told them in Matthew 28 that they were to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything He had commanded them. This event foreshadowed the passion the church has always had to take the gospel into new lands, learn new tongues and cultures, and share the message of Christ with all peoples and nations.
The first Pentecost, the birthday of the church, marked the first time the Holy Spirit came, and those who had walked with Jesus found new confidence due to their faith in Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Those who had gathered from scattered places, those Jesus had
called out of their livelihoods, now proclaim the wonders of God. These people, including St. Peter, had turned on Jesus and cowered when it became clear that Jesus was going to be trial for blasphemy. However, after witnessing Jesus’ resurrection and waiting patiently for the Holy Spirit to come, they were transformed into Apostles who laid down their lives to spread the gospel and reach more people. Peter, who had denied Christ three times, was eventually restored and reinstated by Jesus.
The Holy Spirit came and uniquely enabled the disciples to proclaim the gospel, transforming them into Apostles who would lay down their lives to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. This transformation is a testament to the power of faith and the power of the Holy Spirit in transforming individuals and communities.
Pentecost is the day the church was born, a time when the Holy Spirit filled the people of God and empowered them to share the gospel to the broken needy world. Today, the question arises: what is your calling in the light of the resurrection of Jesus and the Holy Spirit’s coming both on the original day of Pentecost and in the light of the Holy Spirit at work in your life? If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you have a calling to fulfill. The Holy Spirit lives in you and the body of Christ, and you have a calling to fulfill it. Some may have a missionary calling.
Peter, who denied Christ three times, was eventually restored and reinstated by Jesus. He was trusting and anticipating that God would fulfill His promise. The Holy Spirit came and uniquely enabled the disciples to share the gospel with the world.
Mission-living involves sharing your life and the gospel of Jesus, regardless of your current location. This is challenging due to the constant flow of information and influence. It requires maintaining the truth of the gospel and trusting in God’s power to share faith. To be faithful, one must guard against influences that may flatten their faith or relativize right and wrong. Following Jesus Christ is about lovingly and passionately living this truth, as He is the Way, Truth, and Life.
The Spirit of the Lord helps you and I to understand our calling from God, based on our love for people, learning, teaching, and grieving against injustice and poverty. It encourages openness to God’s will for them, acknowledging their status as His people through Christ’s sacrifice.
Ultimately, the Spirit helps us to say yes to God’s heavenly calling and earthly responsibility to love people to Jesus.
