Getting off your backside what the Spirit helps us do!

The story of Pentecost is in Acts 2 but there are many readings which help us reflect on the Spirit's place in our lives. Sunday 19 May -Pentecost (Whitsunday)...reading are here

We are not very good at accurately stating the way Father, Son and Holy Spirit relate to each other
And it is fraught with doctrinal minefields.
But we can note a couple of things.

First it is about relationship

Although it would be innacurate to say that God is only Father, Son and/or Holy Spirit
These words do highlight that we use the language of relating 
to talk about God, and not just the language of function.
If we are to understand what God is like, 
then he is like a Father, he is like a Son.
This language is rich and powerful and meets us more than half way in understanding.
But it is not the only language.
We also use the word Spirit...when we talk about the Spirit of a relationship
or understanding the Spirit of an idea, person or thing;
this also meets us half way.
It is about what is at the core.
What is important, what is essential.

We could (and should) also note that God is not just these things.
There is, for example, and in particular a whole stream of feminine imagery
which is missing in the male-oriented language of history.
Mother, Wisdom, Birthgiver
these and more are  used in the Bible
to help us understand what God is like.
These are also relational words.

Our God is a God who relates.

Perhaps we are best helped to understand this by the title that is sometimes given
to God's Holy Spirit in the New Testament:
where the Spirit is referred to asThe Spirit of Jesus.
We will encounter this Spirit

• in the person of Jesus himself
• as we exercise the gifts that God gives us
• as we encounter Christ in the community of the Body of Christ.

The Spirit enables us to discern Christ in the lives of others,
Jesus himself points out that 
when we see in the poor and weak
those who should be served 
we are encountering Christ himself.

Like a relationship 
this is not just a static one-off experience
but rather a growing emerging encounter.

The Spirit 
draws us into this relationship
in order that we may encounter 
the risen Christ
in our lives
in others
in the world and in the Church

The risen Christ 
opens up to us
the life of God our Father and Mother
This too is a gift of the Spirit.
This week

• Where do I see Christ in my life today?

• What is the Spirit inviting me to understand about God through the relationships in which I see Christ?

• Pray for renewal in my life through these dynamic encounters with God.