Pentecost (year A)- John 7: 37-39

Pentecost is one of the ancient Christian observances based on Scripture. The name Pentecost comes from the Greek word for fifty. Greeking-speaking Jews applied this name to the "Feast of Weeks" which began 50 days after Passover. During this feast, weeks after Christ's resurrection, the Holy Spirit descended upon Christ's disciples in a powerful new way and gave the timid followers of Jesus the strength to be His Church and to proclaim His Gospel. We see this event in today's reading from Acts 2.

On some lectionaries, the Gospel for this Pentecost Sunday is from John 7:37-39.  In this short selection, Jesus promised that those who believed in Him would be refreshed with "rivers of living water." The evangelist adds that this referred to the Holy Spirit who would come after Jesus was glorified.

This teaching gives valuable insight into the varied workings of the Holy Spirit among believing Christians. The Spirit can certainly mean many things for Christian teaching, witness, and life, but one of the important functions of the Holy Spirit is to refresh believers like fresh, life-giving water. So may our observance of Pentecost be refreshing for our souls!

Easter 5 (year A)- John 14:1-14

The Gospel selection for this Sunday is from the part of John's Gospel often called the "Farewell Discourses" (John 14-17). In these chapters, Christ summarizes key teachings and prepares His followers for coming events: His death, resurrection, ascension, and a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Today's selection from John 14: 1-14 may be familiar to many people. These hope-filled words of our Lord apply to the whole Christian understanding of life and death, and it is very fitting to see our selection in the Easter context of Christ's resurrection.

In John 14, Jesus uses the ordinary imagery of a hospitable home to describe the kingdom of heaven. There will be an appropriate place prepared for all the faithful. The disciples are troubled and anxious about many matters. They realize that their relationship with Jesus is changing. Their little group physically gathered around Jesus will no longer be the same. The dramatic events of Christ's death, resurrection, and ascension will separate them from His physical worldly presence.

In these uncertain circumstances, Christ offers His followers strengthening words. He points to God the Father's care for them and to His continuing unity with the heavenly Father. Regardless of changing earthly circumstances, disciples must trust in the Father and in Christ. He is the way, and the truth, and the life (John 14:6). 

Through faith in Jesus, we are given grace and strength to look beyond all the uncertainties, trials, and dangers of earthly life. We look toward true life in our heavenly Father's house. In light of Christ's resurrection, our faith and hope should grow ever stronger! And we should do the kinds of good things He did and live lives of constant prayer.