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Christian Conference of Asia
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CCA MESSAGE FOR PENTECOST SUNDAY“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth…” A local congregation in Central Java, Indonesia, invites people especially those who originally come from this particular village to return home to celebrate Pentecost. Farmers bring their first harvest of fruits of their labor like rice, fruits and vegetables, chicken, etc. Market vendors bring some of the items they sell and the workers their tithes. There will also be a parade around the community with cultural nuances. Pentecost is a thanksgiving celebration for the many blessings God has bestowed for this community. This reminds us of the Pentecost event as told in the book of Acts 2 that happened in Jerusalem in the time of harvest attended by people coming from different places with different cultures and languages. As they were all gathered in one place, a rushing mighty wind struck, strong and violent. That was not a tsunami or tornado that kills life, but the Spirit of God which empowers people to speak in diverse tongues in various expressions, yet in a sincere unity of affections. The people were able to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, speaking in languages foreign to them, yet understanding each other. The Holy Spirit filled the entire place and each person, and granted them the ability to go beyond human divisions and overcome segregations. We are facing many crises in our communities because of the absence of, and the misappropriation of truth. Many people have lost confidence and trust for each other and for their leaders. Even within the family and the churches the spirit of deceit and betrayal has blown strong, infecting and destroying the lives of many. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to his disciples when he was about to ‘go to his Father’s house’. He reminded them of the challenges they would face. They will be marginalized, thrown out of their communities and even be killed, and those who kill them “will think that by doing this they are offering worship to God.” (John 16:1-4) This reminds us of the many Christian communities which are isolated and persecuted because of what they believe in, and the many forms of hatred and enmity in human history. To the disciples who were scared and dismayed in facing life’s turbulence, Jesus promised that on his behalf God will send the Advocate, the Comforter and Healer – to defend them, to console them and to heal their wounds. He assured them that “When the Spirit of truth comes he will guide you into all the truth…” (John 16:13) The Holy Spirit, the Comforter descended upon the apostles also to shake them up from their complacency. Pentecost is God's power over the evils that victimize communities, including the church. In the midst of the plurality of Asia and our common calling to witness to Jesus Christ today, we need the power of the Holy Spirit to strengthen us to meet the challenges of our time, and help us to understand each other despite the different expressions of our Christian faith so that we can be credible agents of justice and peace in our communities. Despite our alarming realities we are thankful that God continuously invites us to be co-workers in proclaiming the truth. As we celebrate Pentecost let us be mindful of the many people in Asia who are starving because of drought and poverty, besieged by hopelessness in the midst of continuous conflicts and war, and persecuted because of their faith. Let us pray for those who are preoccupied only of their own interests and who have lost direction and commitment to uphold life for all. Let us humbly yield to God and boldly pray together: “Come Holy Spirit…, come and guide us into your truth.” REV. DR. HENRIETTE HUTABARAT LEBANG General Secretary 10 June 2011 posted by cbs on Friday, June 10, 2011 |
