The coming of the Holy Spirit

 

The coming of the Holy Spirit

When the Spirit came down upon the disciples they were filled with a new power - the power to speak in tongues, the power to heal, the power of miracles even, was given to them. The fruits and gifts of the Spirit were made manifest among the people; Wisdom, Knowledge, Prophecy, Teaching, but  the greatest of all was Love.

What relevance does this out pouring of Spirit have for us today, especially for those who are house and bed bound? We may not be well enough to go out in person to spread the good news, but as Paul says, the greatest gift of the Spirit is the Power of Love. And we all can  and do love in abundance. Love knows no physical boundaries and is present in our contact with God and each other through prayer. Love supports, lifts, restores and heals.

Love comes to us through our friendships and unites us in our prayer. Friendship then, especially spiritual friendship, is a grace from God and how important it is for us to know that when we are too ill or distressed or in need, there is someone there, either on the phone, or via email or letter, or even without direct communication, to know and feel that someone out there is holding us in their heart and praying for us, even though we may never have met physically in the world. 

What greater gift can we give or receive then than this gift of  unconditional love