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The Risen Lord Sends the Holy Spirit

Acts 2:2-5,14 (NIV) 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.
5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken….
14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.

We have come to the end of this short walk on the Via Lucis, and this opportunity to continue the celebration of the Resurrection. (That is also what we do every Sunday) Although our walk with Jesus is a life-long pilgrimage, I think it is important to take these occasional spiritual strolls and focus on stories and seasons of our faith. However, the aim of any true pilgrim and the arc of your pilgrimage is not only to revisit Holy times or go to places like Jerusalem, but to see Jesus. Look for and experience our Risen Lord every single day. Our journey is a “pilgrimage of the heart”.** That is what I hope you have done these past few days. Thanks for walking with me.

The Via Lucis is a recently developed exercise of biblical contemplation. I expanded on the devotions I found from various Churches and Parishes who celebrate these few days after Easter, following the Biblical passages they chose. They all end at Pentecost, that weirdly wonderful birthday of the Church. The focus I found from most sources for this day was not about the rushing wind, tongues of fire or even the speaking in tongues. The awesome story of Pentecost is that the power of the Holy Spirit changes everything and changes us.

The Holy Spirit changed the Upper Room from a safe house where the frightened, whispering followers of Jesus hid from the authorities to a broadcasting station from where everyone heard about Jesus. The power of the Holy Spirit drove the disciples out of hiding to the streets, the marketplace and beyond to share the Gospel and minister to the world.. The power of the Holy Spirit moved the place of worship from the inner Sanctuary of a stone Temple to the inner sanctum of the human heart and within the communion of believers. In one day, the Holy Spirit grew God’s church exponentially, from a few dozen to over 5000.

I could go on, but I think you get the point, so the last questions we need to ask ourselves at this last Station on the Via Lucis:

• What does the Holy Spirit need to change about me, and you, from this day forward ?
• What does the Holy Spirit want to change in the world I live in ?

My list is pretty long, and growing, but always deal with the first question before you move on to the next. Nevertheless, what I understand from this Station is that the power of the Holy Spirit can accomplish any change, however daunting and however fearful or faithless I may be. He can change me however He wants and change any circumstance, for (He) is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, (and) to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”Ephesians 3:20-21

That is power, and in the power of Jesus’ presence, more than in any other power that exists, you will also find…

Peace.

Phil Parsons
P.S. As I wrote about these pilgrimages these past few days this last verse from an old forgotten song, Little Pilgrim, by the group Love Song, from the infancy of contemporary Christian music, popped in my mind:

Little Pilgrim, walking down the road of life, I know that deep down in your heart that you are just like me. What you’re seeking is a better way, and you’re reaching out for temporary resting places.

And you’re glad to find a little peace of mind here and there, but it won’t last, no, no, ‘cause you will have to move along someday. Until you’re resting in the arms of the only one who can help you; ‘till you give your heart, and soul and your body and your mind and your life to the Lord.

And it’s a glad thing to realize, that you’re not alone, that you have found your way, back home, back home.