Pentecost and Witnessing the True Faith
Brothers, we shall hymn with praise the tongues of the disciples, because, not with elegant speech, but in divine power they have revived all men.
Because they took up His Cross as a fishing pole, so that they might again use words as fishing lines and fish for the world, since they had speech as a sharp fishhook, since the flesh of the Master of all has become for them a bait, it has not sought to kill but it attracts to life those who worship and praise The All- Holy Spirit.
- from the Kontakion on Pentecost by St. Romanos the Melodist
When we kneel down on Holy Pentecost and beg for the coming of the Holy Spirit, we do so not simply to remember how the Apostles received the Spirit on this day long ago, but in order that we may receive the Spirit anew, today, to do what they did, that is, to witness with spiritual power to the resurrection of Christ.
" Witnessing" may hold negative connotations for modern people, who when hearing this term are likely to think of Bible-thumping preachers on television and the superficial sales-pitch missionizing of the various "bornagain" sects or cults like the Jehovah's Witnesses. The fact, however, that we do not like what they do DOES NOT let us off the hook of OUR responsibility to spread the True Faith! If they are so eager to spread halftruths and falsehoods, does this not put us to shame when we do not share the
whole Truth?
As usual, the Church’s Holy Tradition instructs us as to how we are to preach our Faith to others. The beautiful Kontakion of St. Romanos quoted above tells exactly how the Apostles did it:
1. The Apostles revived all men not with elegant speech but with divine power. When we speak simply, humbly, without egoism, with absolute conviction, the Holy Spirit breathes through our words and gives rest and refreshment to the burdened souls of modern men who hear our words. People are hungering and thirsting today, burdened by a bewildering demon’s horde of cares, fears, and worries. If we would speak to them directly and calmly of the truth of Orthodoxy and man’s true destiny in the Heavenly Kingdom of Christ, souls around us may be saved.
2. The Apostles’ “fishing pole” was the Cross. We have to nail ourselves to the Cross through self-sacrifice and the struggle for virtue, and then offer the Cross to others without sugar-coating. Those who really desire their salvation will find joy in embracing the Cross of Christ; they will respond with courage and eagerness, because a straight preaching of the Cross attracts exactly the right people, those whose hearts are really with Jesus Christ.
3. The flesh of the Master of all is the Apostles’ “bait”. Man’s soul and body, though he does not know it, instinctively long for the Body and Blood of Christ in Holy Communion. To receive this great and awesome mystery, which is man’s true nourishment on earth and the medicine of immortality making him fit for heaven, is the highest need of every man on earth, though most men do not know it or acknowledge it. If we show greater fervor and love in approaching the Holy Mysteries, others will be attracted, also. May the All-Holy Spirit help us to attract them!!
The Life-Giving Warmth of the Holy Spirit
When a seed is sown, the power of warmth and light must come on it to make it grow.
When a tree is planted the power of wind must come on it, to make it strong and establish it.
When a householder builds a house, he seeks the power of prayer, to consecrate his house.
The Lord Jesus Christ sowed a most precious seed in the filed of this world. The power of the Holy Spirit was needed to come on it, to give it warmth and light, and make it grow.
God the Son sowed the Tree of Life in the wild, uncultivated fields of death. The powerful whirlwind of the Spirit was needed to breathe on it, to establish the Tree of Life.
The pre-eternal wisdom of God had made Itself abodes from the chosen souls of men. And the Spirit of God's power and wisdom was needed to come down into this abode and consecrate it.
The divine Bridegroom has chosen His Bride, the Church of pure souls, and the Spirit of eternal joy was needed to come down to join heaven and earth with a ring, and to clothe the Bride in wedding garments.
All came to pass as it had been foretold. The Holy Spirit was promised, and the Holy Spirit came. Who could promise the almighty Spirit's coming on earth except He who knew the Spirit would be obedient and would come? And to whom would the almighty Spirit be able to show such ready obedience if not to the One towads whom He has perfect love?
- from a homily on Pentecost by Bishop Nikolai (Velimirovic)