Saturday, May 10, 2008

The Fiftieth Day of Easter

Pentecost batik by Solomon Raj of India, borrowed from here.

O ye faithful, let us keep and celebrate most radiantly this post-festal and last feast; this is the day of Pentecost, which doth fulfill the appointed time and the promise. For on this day, the fire of the Good Comforter straightway came on earth, as though in form of tongues, and it enlightened the disciples and proved them Heaven's initiates. Behold, the Comforter's light is come and hath illumined the whole world.

Heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of truth, Who are everywhere present and fillest all things, O Treasury of every good and Bestower of life: come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O Good One.

--Pentecostarion

2 comments:

Fran said...

Come Holy Spirit! Bring us gifts of healing, wisdom, consolation and peace.

As you are more than very likely aware, 50 days after Passover comes Shavu'ot, to celebrate the receipt of the Torah from Mt. Sinai.

While our calendars are not in sync with our Jewish brothers and sisters this year, it is a time for us to all celebrate the gifts of wisdom and guidance from God.

And it is not then a surprise to visualize Acts Chapter 2 with many Jews gathered in Jerusalem and suddenly hearing in one voice.

I do believe I have just written myself a post!

Paul said...

Fran, thanks for reminding us all of this. In past years I had the tablets of the Decalogue incorporated in the bulletin design for Pentecost to underscore this.

Blessed be the late Rev. Dr. Robert B. Laurin, my professor of Hebrew Scriptures, who helped us get beyond the erroneous notion that grace came after law.