June 9, 2025
Pentecost - Part 1
John 14:23-24
06/09/2025
23 Jesus answered him, ``If anyone loves me, he will
keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we
will come to him and make our home with him.
24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words.
And the word that you hear is not mine but the
Father's who sent me.'' (ESV)
Yesterday, the fiftieth day after Easter, the Church
celebrated Pentecost, the day the Holy Spirit visibly descended
upon the disciples. This is not to imply that the Holy Spirit is
something which was not known to the writers of the Old
Testament. Indeed, by the second verse of the Bible we hear that
the ``Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the
waters.''[1]
It has always been the work of the Holy Spirit to call
people to faith in God. It has always been the work of the Holy
Spirit to sanctify those who trust in God, who have heard the
Word of God, and respond in love to God. It has always been the
work of the Holy Spirit to teach us about God, even as the Holy
Spirit inspired the writers of both the Old and New Testaments to
proclaim God's Word.
Saint John recorded Jesus' conversation with the disciples
on the night He was betrayed.
Jesus answered him, ``If anyone loves me, he will keep
my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come
to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not
love me does not keep my words. And the word that you
hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.''
Those who love Jesus, those who trust in the Father, guard
and treasure that which is revealed by the prophets and apostles.
Jesus taught the words of the Father, the same words entrusted to
the Church by the Holy Spirit.
This week we will ponder the work of the Holy Spirit as He
calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the Church on earth.
May our Lord bless you this week as you learn more of our
Lord and Savior. Amen.
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1. Genesis 1:2