This coming Sunday is the Festival of Pentecost. It is obvious that the theme is on the Spirit. In the Gospel lesson, John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 the Spirit causes living water to flow from the heart. The dead are made alive by the Spirit in the preaching of the Word in the Old Testament lesson Ezekiel 37:1-14. The disciples are emboldened by the Spirit to speak in languages which foreigners could understand in the Epistle lesson Acts 2:1-21. In the Psalm Psalm139:1-16 there are references to the Spirit who creates and renews creation. The hymn of the Day “Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord” {LSB 497} is a prayer for the Spirit to come upon the church.
Psalm104:24, 27-28, 30—The antiphon for the Introit for this coming Sunday; the Feast Day of Pentecost is a liturgical text, “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your love. Alleluia.”
The Psalmist refers back to the week of creation. When He had finished all that He had made, not only was the Lord satisfied but it was very good indeed. All that the Lord commands, creates, and sustains is very good indeed. On the Feast Day of Pentecost we see that the Lord is serious concerning His Word going out throughout the whole creation. Persons are converted; believers are sustained and strengthened in the faith as the Lord uses His Word for these purposes.
Collect for Psalm 104: God of all light, life and love, through the visible things of this world you raise our thoughts to things unseen, and you show us your power and your love. From your dwelling place refresh our hearts and renew the face of the earth with the life-giving water of your Word, until the new heaven and new earth resound with the song of resurrection in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Sources:
The Holy Spirit in the form of a Dove, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
Collect for Psalm 104, For All the Saints, A Prayer book for and by the church Vol. II , The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau © 1995 Delhi, NY
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