Pentecost Sunday

A feast of the universal Church which commemorates the Descent of the Holy Ghost upon the Apostles, fifty days after the Resurrection of Christ, on the ancient Jewish festival called the "feast of weeks" or Pentecost (Exodus 34:22; Deuteronomy 16:10)
I'll admit now, the ONLY time I think of God is before I drive (praying for a safe journey), and occasionally before I sleep, and on Sundays, and when I go for reconciliation. Most of the time, I think about deadlines, assignments, research, books to return, borrow, my car needing tweaking and fixing, bank statements, rate bills, my brother, etc....I suppose thats why I try to get invovled in my church activities, cos during then, Im GUARANTEED to contemplate or reflect on God's presence (even if I have a lapse in concentration). Recently, I've been so bogged down with assignments and deadlines, my stress and caffeine levels in my body shot up faster than you can say 'BOO!'. I found it weird that it was during this time that I actually thought of God a LITTLE bit more, e.g praying before I did my studying...but it wasnt until I went for my prayer meeting an hour ago that someone read this email to me, sent as a reflection for Pentecost Sunday.

John 20:19-23
The disciples locked themselves in their own little space. They were afraid of the Jews. We lock ourselves in our little closets for fear of the world around us, be it our job, people who bother us, homework and tests to be written, jobs to be worked, bills to be paid, controversies with the family and friends to resolve, ourselves to face, etc. Jesus shows up there anyway. Jesus shows up for us too. He said, "Peace be with you" to them. He says "Peace be with you" to us. He breathed the Holy Spirit into them, and He still breathes the Holy Spirit into us today. And he sends us out, just as he sent them out. The part I mostly appreciate is the "Peace be with you". It seems that whenever I'm truly at peace only when I give it all to God and get out of His way in my life. So many time, I've tried to do things on my own. So many times, I've failed. Too few times I actually really and truly give over a situation to God. And in every one of those times, things always turn out so well (not always like I had thought the options were, but usually better!) I've also learned that in giving things over to God, I dont have to lock myself in my little room anymore. The Holy Spirit is with me in a real way, working through my willingness to let him work through me, and so nothing else can get to me, and so I'm at peace and it is very good. Happy Pentecost everyone! May the Spirit of peace be with you always as you place your trust in Him!