Clergy Notes — Sunday, May 13, 2018

“Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in us the fire of your love. Alleluia.”

In these ten days between Ascension and Pentecost the whole Church waits, as did the Apostles with Mary the Mother of Jesus and the other women in the Upper Room, for a fresh outpouring of Holy Spirit: upon the Church, in our life together and in our individual lives, and indeed upon the whole of creation. We pray that we may experience anew the gifts and fruit of Holy Spirit. The sevenfold gifts, drawn from Isaiah 11.1-2, are Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and the Fear of the Lord. The ninefold fruit are to be found in Galatians 5.22-23: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control.

The Archbishop of Canterbury is again calling upon the churches of the Anglican Communion to pray together in these days “Thy kingdom come”, for a fresh openness to discern where God is present and active in God’s world, and where and how God is calling the Church, and each of us, to serve God and neighbour, to be living signs of God’s love.

O King enthroned on high,

Comforter and Spirit of truth,

you that are in all places and fill all things,

the treasury of blessings and the giver of life,

come and dwell with us,

cleanse us from every stain and save our souls,

O gracious one.

Amen.                          (an Orthodox prayer)

 May the grace of the Holy Spirit enlighten our hearts and mind. Alleluia. Amen.

Fr Kevin