Pentecost Envisions Universal Togetherness

(Click here for pdf version)

pentecost-edjournal-june-2-2007-preview

In the Christian liturgical calendar, last Sunday was Pentecost.

If you’re a regular Grow Mercy reader, you’ll have read pieces of this article–published in today’s Edmonton Journal–in previous posts.

(Thank you for reading!)

Pentecost EdJournal June 2, 2007

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7 Comments

  1. Thank you for the wonderfully succinct article in today’s Journal. I try to impress upon others the same message of the Great Commandment in which there is no limitation on who is our neighbour. My neighbour is any sentient being who needs my compassion and help, whether by work or deed. Jim Logan, Past-president, Edmonton Interfaith Centre for Education and Action. I am an Unitarian-Universalist and a member of the Unitarian Church of Edmonton.
    Pax vobiscum.

  2. Hey, brother, beautifully written, as usual.

    One sentece caught me: “… the dream of togetherness … the dream of the sacredness of all things.”

    I find my notion of sacredness challenged here – the usual meaning of sacred is to be set apart from all things. But Pentecost definitely blurred some lines – for some it was so crazy their only conclusion was that the people must have been drunk!

    The story of the Springside sports meet shows that for you the lines blurred early. I’m not sure that I share that gene, brother. One dime maybe…

    I don’t know if you noticed that your email address looks like St. Thomas…

    Many blessings today!

    Sam

  3. Thank you Jim Logan, for your kind words and for carrying the message.

    And thank you Sam for your thoughtfulness and encouragement. Always so welcome.

    (I’ve been useing Thomas more because it has Benedictine significance. But the St. Thomas appearance is entirely accidental and a misnomer as anyone who knows me recognizes.)

  4. Hello. I read your “Offering”, & it’s wonderful! Your words reflect my own convictions about what we should–MUST–do in our lives each day. Pentacost is certainly the opportunity for us to enact what Jesus taught. I identify myself as a Ukrainian Catholic; however, my belief is in the term ‘catholic’-universal, which has everything to do with each & everyone of us having faith in God, & sharing community with others, regardless of what name they put to their respective ‘church’. As we read in Genesis–God made us in His Image. His credo is to love Him, & also to love one another. While He also endowed us with free will, I believe He gave us the will to be the best, the kindest, the most tolerant, & the Most Loving to one another. Your article strikes a nerve which highlights how far we have drifted from what God the Father, & His Son want for us. Like so many, I pray that God’s Holy Spirit will speak to our hearts & our minds, & guide us. As a race, we’ve created our 21st century Tower of Babel–we need to tear it down and have true meaningful dialogue with one another. While my traditions may differ from yours, we share the vision of Pentacost, & the messages that Christ brought us from our Heavenly Father. Thank you for a powerful reminder. God Bless you, & shower you with His Graces.

    Mrs. Mikhalyna Bentt

  5. you’re having and impact

    and I am extremely happy to see and read it

    a really great piece you have written

    I will try to link it in my blog

    I am Pentecostal who is trying to find a reason to stay a Pentecostal, you have given me cause to hope that this kind of faith, when properly understood and practiced can be more than a confusion, an embarrasment, and a folly.

    of course when the real thing appears no walls or barriers or names will be needed and I can at last escape the harrowing halls of Pentecostal religion

    what a day that will be.

  6. you’re having and impact

    and I am extremely happy to see and read it

    a really great piece you have written

    I will try to link it in my blog

    I am Pentecostal who is trying to find a reason to stay a Pentecostal, you have given me cause to hope that this kind of faith, when properly understood and practiced can be more than a confusion, an embarrasment, and a folly.

    of course when the real thing appears no walls or barriers or names will be needed and I can at last escape the harrowing halls of Pentecostal religion

    what a day of rejoicing that will be.

  7. The day of Pentecost does in a sense represent the unity of true Christians, because it represents the gift of the Holy Spirit, and it is the Holy Spirit dwelling in the minds of Christians that makes them one body, united with each other and with God.

    But Pentecost represents much more than this, as the article, The Secret Meaning of Pentecost, explains. When fully understood, Pentecost helps explain the deepest questions of life, such as why God allows suffering and why so few among the billions of people who have lived and died in all places and at all times have actually heard the gospel.

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