Pastoral
Letter for Wed. 3rd June:
My
Dear Friends,
Jesus
once said to his followers that, when he went away to leave them, God
would send them the gift of his Spirit – His Presence – to be
with them in a powerful, invisible way. Jesus refers to this Spirit
as a Comforter, a Helper, an Advocate, an Encourager. The Greek word
he uses is “Paracletos”. A Paraclete was someone who is called
in to stand by you. Someone who is on your side. A Paraclete was
someone who puts courage into you and makes you strong and brave. A
Paraclete was someone who gives us the strength and power to cope
with the demands and challenges of life.
It
is this strong Presence of the Risen Christ – living and active and
real – who guides and helps and encourages us – who stands
alongside us as our Helper and Friend. At this Season of Pentecost
we rejoice in the confident assurance that His Spirit is most
assuredly with us.
There
is an old Greek legend about one of their gods – the Paraclete.
The Paraclete had a magical cloak which made him invisible; and
special boots which made him a fast runner. The story is told of a
wee boy who was lame and yet who desperately wanted to join in the
sports and games and races. Everyone mocked and jeered: “How can
you run – you can’t even walk!” The wee lad, however, had
courage and determination.
When
the race began, the Paraclete put on his cloak and boots and soared
up behind this little boy – picked him up – and, to everyone’s
amazement, carried him over the winning line!
The
Greeks, you see, believed that, if you had faith, courage, and
determination, the gods would help you to overcome your difficulties.
My Friends, we can rely on the help of God to pick us up and carry us
through!
Liz
joins me in sending our love to you all.
Alex.
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