A Blessed Pentecost Sunday to all!

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them.

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. (Acts 2 1-4)

Today we celebrate the birth of the Christian Church and the gift of the Holy Spirit to it.

The Holy Spirit provides the love and the breath for the Church.

He “breathed on” those present saying: “Receive the Holy Spirit” (Jn 20:22). This is the Baptism with the Holy Spirit that Jesus brings. John testifies that Jesus is the one on whom he saw the Spirit abiding (Jn 1:32-33) and who gives God’s Spirit “without measure” (Jn 3:34).

For us and the whole Christian Church this is our calling as disciples of the Lord.

 You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”  (Acts 1:8)

Let us witness the love of the Holy Spirit to all God’s people!

+ Bishop Stephen

Diocese of Kansas