by the Rev. Antonio Reyes, LCP President
Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,
Today marks a significant event in the Christian Church’s calendar as Christians all over the world celebrate the Church’s birthday – Pentecost Sunday.
Roughly 2000 plus years ago, devoted followers of Jesus Christ were anointed by the Holy Spirit. With a loud thunderous sound, and strong winds, God sent the Holy Spirit through a fiery tongue-like symbol giving them a strong bond with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The early Christians were endowed with power to embolden them to spread the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus alone.
Today, we didn’t hear any loud noise or felt any strong wind. We celebrated Pentecost without the fiery tongue above our heads. But we celebrate Pentecost with jubilation in our hearts as we had fellowship with our brothers and sisters. No sound or wind, but the Word of God, the Law and the Gospel properly divided and distinguished, we have heard during worship service were more than any loud sound, touching our hearts and filling our souls with the Holy Spirit – preserving and strengthening our saving faith in Jesus and moving us to do good works as fruits of that saving faith.
It was a great feeling for us to be reminded of God’s goodness. His sending of the Holy Spirit to guide us and encourage us to live a life in Christ – with Christ, has filled our hearts with thanksgiving. And amid the challenges in life, and the uncertainties brought about by Satan, by sin and the fallen world we live in, let the gift of the Holy Spirit be our constant reminder of God’s presence and love. Pentecost reminds us that our heavenly Father, in Christ Jesus, can use us to do great things for the expansion of His kingdom with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Let us all joyfully confess and proclaim our Christian faith to all the corners of the world, just like what our brothers and sisters did during the first celebration of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit, through the Word and the Sacraments, will continue to bless us, and never depart from us, so is the love of God, through His only begotten son, Jesus Christ.
Taken by Johanan Celine Valeriano.