Pentecost 2009

I find the tongues of fire a bit tame.

Vincent Taylor, in his book on the Spirit titled The Go-Between God, suggested that looking into the fiery power of a volcano might help us have an "aha" experience of the Spirit. So I offer the graphic above.

Hymn #501

1. O Holy Spirit, by whose breath,
life rises vibrant out of death;
come to create, renew, inspire;
come, kindle in our hearts your fire.

2. You are the seeker's sure resource,
of burning love the living source,
protector in the midst of strife,
the giver and the Lord of life.

3. In you God's energy is shown,
to us your varied gifts make known.
Teach us to speak, teach us to hear;
yours is the tongue and yours the ear.

4. Flood our dull senses with your light;
in mutual love our hearts unite.
Your power the whole creation fills;
confirm our weak, uncertain wills.

5. From inner strife grant us release;
turn nations to the ways of peace.
To fuller life your people bring
that as one body we may sing;

6. Praise to the Father, Christ, his Word,
and to the Spirit: God the Lord,
to whom all honor, glory be
both now and for eternity.

Words: Att. Rabanus Maurus (776-856); tr. John Webster Grant (b. 1919), alt.; para. of Veni Creator Spiritus Music: Komm, Gott Schopfer, melody from Eyn Enchiridion, 1524; harm. The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941

May the God who dances in creation, who embraces us with human love, who shakes our lives like thunder, bless us and drive us out with power to fill the world with her justice.

—Janet Morley

--the BB