Pentecost And Martyrs

A large number of people are saying that there were more martyrs during the twentieth century than all the previous nineteen centuries combined. We may not care to hear this, but I think it is a reality that we may face — perhaps if not in an actual martyrdom but more in a dismissal of ourselves as being of any importance to our society.

Or are we speaking about something that has already happened?

Governments on both sides of the Atlantic, in their drive for finding political correctness, are removing God from the very strengths that founded our nations. Schools are being forced or instructed to avoid God’s existence in our lives. And more and more, when I celebrate at funerals, I’m acutely aware that mourners know nothing of the new life we’ve been promised.

When we look at the things that are happening in our societies and the way in which our Christian faith is being dismissed as somehow irrelevant, what other conclusion can be drawn?

But just as Jesus’ disciples did not sit in a corner doing nothing, neither can we allow ourselves to be pushed aside by those in our society today who would say that we should keep our faith only in our churches or in our homes.

On Pentecost (originally called the Feast of Weeks or Shavuot), the disciples took their faith to the streets. They relied on the Holy Spirit to give them the words needed to turn many people’s hearts back to God. Since we’re coming so close now to the feast of Pentecost for this year, maybe it is time for us to pray for the same kind of thing to open up again for us.

Let the heavens open. Let the new fire fall. Let the people of God awaken. Let them- let us - not worry about what may come, but be more concerned about making Christ’s presence real in our world today.

May the fire of the Holy Spirit rekindle in us a renewed commitment, and may we not be afraid to be His voice today.

And for all tomorrows.

.Lord in Heaven, You have shown us the way of perfect goodness, and the majesty of the human spirit made whole and beautiful. Endow each one of us with the determination to give the world reasons to rejoice. We pray in Christ’s name. Amen

The Science of Faith