A reading set down for Pentecost
Tēnā koutou katoa
“I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”
[John 14: 25-27]
On Pentecost Sunday we read the Scriptures and reflect on the continuing story of our journey of faith with the Risen Christ and the Holy Spirit. We have the promise from Jesus that the Holy Spirit will teach us, lead us deeper into the truth of God, and remind us of the teachings that Jesus has already given us. We will experience the nudgings and the insights of the Holy Spirit in our living, and know the peace that Jesus offers us – a peace that gives wholeness and freedom from fear. There is much to celebrate!
At the time I was preparing to write this message, I spent three days at a women in ministry gathering at Te Maungarongo Marae – our Church’s national marae in Ōhope. During our time together there was a workshop on marae tikanga and it was interesting to learn that every marae has its own mauri (life force, essence), and at Te Maungarongo the mauri is the Holy Spirit.
So many people who come to this marae talk of how special it is, of how they feel close to God in this space, how they feel a home-coming, a welcome, an integration, a deep connection. The Holy Spirit is at work and is known. It is also known there through the people of Te Aka Puahou who give such manaakitanga (hospitality), which builds whanaungatanga (relationship). In step with this we think of the relational nature of the Holy Spirit as guide, teacher, advocate, counsellor, comforter. All things come together to provide a holy space.
It feels like Te Maungarongo is similar to what the Celtic Christians call ‘a thin place’ where the boundary between the material world and the spiritual or divine is perceived to be particularly thin. Where it is more permeable. A sacred place. What a gift.
In this season of Pentecost, where we reflect more deeply about the work of the Holy Spirit in our individual and corporate life, can we attend to that phrase from the Anglican prayer book which is used after Scripture is read: “Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church”. What do we feel the Spirit is saying to us, the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, at this time? Can we be attentive to the nudgings of the Holy Spirit, within and around us?
As we prepare for General Assembly in October, let us adopt a posture of listening to what the Holy Spirit is saying to us so that we can be all that God desires for us, individually and as a national Church. Discerning. Integrated. Energised. Engaged. Hopeful.
May the warmth and the promptings of the Holy Spirit be with us all.
Rose
Right Rev Rose Luxford
Moderator
Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand
moderator@presbyterian.org.nz