Pentecost, commonly called Whitsunday, June 5th, 2022
As we read in the Second Chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, we find ourselves in the presence of the Apostles and the Disciples and the Blessed Mother all gathered together in prayer. Now, as it points out quite clearly in that second chapter: "And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind and it filled all the house where they were sitting" (Chapter 2:2) Now, as we try to imagine what it was like for those gathered on that very first Whitsunday, it sounds almost terrifying when we hear that there was a "rushing mighty wind" filling the whole house. But the point that I would like to focus on is the fact that the disciples of Our Lord were there to hear what God had to say to them.
There's an old saying that goes something like: " . . . if a tree falls in the forest, does it make a sound?" Certainly, if a tree falls in the forest, yes, it does make a sound as it comes crashing to the ground. But the point is that if nobody is around to hear the noise . . . . . nobody hears the crash. The point is clear. The disciples were not only gathered together on that first Whitsunday, they were also open to hearing what God had to say to them. That is why they were gathered in prayer.
How many times has God tried to speak to us, but we were not there to hear? Were we not "there" because we were paying attention to something else? Were we not "there" because we were listening to something completely different? Were we not "there" because our mind was focused on something other than God? You see, we need to make a point to "listen" in order to "hear" what is being said. This is true in general but it is certainly true when it comes to "sounds from Heaven." Someone can come up and say something to me but if I am completely focused on something else, I am more than likely not paying attention to what is being said. "Excuse me, what was that you were saying?" With God, this is certainly the case: we need to pay attention to God in order to hear what He is saying to us. The disciples were gathered in prayer and they were making a point to pay attention to what God would say to them. How many times have we missed what God was saying to us because were were not listening . . . not paying attention . .. or focused on something completely different?
There's an old saying that goes something like: " . . . if a tree falls in the forest, does it make a sound?" Certainly, if a tree falls in the forest, yes, it does make a sound as it comes crashing to the ground. But the point is that if nobody is around to hear the noise . . . . . nobody hears the crash. The point is clear. The disciples were not only gathered together on that first Whitsunday, they were also open to hearing what God had to say to them. That is why they were gathered in prayer.
How many times has God tried to speak to us, but we were not there to hear? Were we not "there" because we were paying attention to something else? Were we not "there" because we were listening to something completely different? Were we not "there" because our mind was focused on something other than God? You see, we need to make a point to "listen" in order to "hear" what is being said. This is true in general but it is certainly true when it comes to "sounds from Heaven." Someone can come up and say something to me but if I am completely focused on something else, I am more than likely not paying attention to what is being said. "Excuse me, what was that you were saying?" With God, this is certainly the case: we need to pay attention to God in order to hear what He is saying to us. The disciples were gathered in prayer and they were making a point to pay attention to what God would say to them. How many times have we missed what God was saying to us because were were not listening . . . not paying attention . .. or focused on something completely different?
St. Margaret Church worships every Sunday morning at 10:30 AM at the Chapel at Marquette Manor, which is located at 8140 N. Township Line Road on the Northwest side of Indianapolis.
NOTE: Keep in mind that we must enter in the main entrance of the lobby and sign in before we go to the chapel.
Please Join us as we gather together as God's family to: hear the Word of God; listen as God speaks to each one of us in our hearts; worship God in song and in word; listen to the King James Bible and the 1928 Book of Common Prayer; and, finally, receive Our Blessed Lord in Holy Communion so that we can be nourished for the journey we call life. Take one hour out of your busy schedule to worship God, to honour God, to acknowledge the need for God in your life.
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