The Descent of the Holy Spirit

by Deacon Lorna Goodison on June 01, 2022

In His final discourse, Jesus prepares His disciples for His physical departure. The disciples were not yet able to understand Jesus’ words of loving assurance. In today’s gospel, (John 14:8-27) Philip, seeking to understand Jesus’ words, asked, “Lord, show us the Father and we will be satisfied.” Jesus replied, “Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?”  Continuing in His discourse, Jesus pointed to the time after His earthly passing when understanding would occur, “you will know that I am in the Father, and you in me, and I in you.” The descent of the Holy Spirit will enable the disciples to begin understanding the incomprehensible riches of Jesus’ words and His vision of building a relationship with believers gathered in one upon the cornerstones of unity and love. Just as Jesus and the Father are bound together in an intimate spiritual union of love, Jesus promises that with the coming of the Holy Spirit believers will be invited into that same loving, spiritual bond with the Father and the Son. And so, the Easter season culminates on a high note with Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came down on the disciples, fulfilling God’s promise.  But Pentecost, the coming of the Spirit, is far more than the culmination of Easter. It is a new beginning, the making of the disciples and “all flesh,” into a new creation. Pentecost is our celebration of being God’s reconciled people who now are called to share in the mission of the divine Son through the Holy Spirit. We have been made fit to do the works that Jesus did, and in fact, the disciples and us are enabled by the Spirit to “do greater works.”

On the day of Pentecost, we read (Acts 2: 1-21) that the Spirit appeared with “a sound like the rush of a violent wind” and tongues of fire. These are powerful images that express a powerful experience! Fear-filled disciples were emboldened by the Spirit to understand and speak God’s words, unmindful of onlookers’ amazement, perplexity, and sneers. A new creation rooted in unity and love for the Father and the Son, through the Holy Spirit was truly birthed.

Christ who conquered sin and death reigns in unity with God the Father and the Holy Spirit. Pentecost invites us, people of God, to concentrate deeply on the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit that Christ sends to live in us, even today. If by faith we believe, we too are inspired and emboldened by His power to do the work God calls us to do. The work of gathering others into the Body of our Lord, to the praise and glory of our One God and Father who is above all, in all, and through all.  

Prayer: “Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth.”

Tags: holy spirit, faithful, pentecost, renew, new beginning, fire of love

About the Author
Deacon Lorna Goodison

Reverend Lorna Goodison was ordained to the Diaconate on April 29, 2007. After discerning a call to ordained ministry, Deacon Lorna completed a process of spiritual discernment and pursued three years of study at the Diocesan School for Christian Studies. She also completed three units of hospice care training through Vitas and for a short while she was a volunteer Chaplain. Highlights of her continuing education activities include a guided visit to Israel and attending the Festival of Homiletics in Boulder, Colorado.

Soon after her ordination, Deacon Lorna was called to serve as Deacon at St. Mary Magdalene. She initiated an outreach ministry to the homeless at St. Laurence Chapel, obtaining the support and involvement of most members of the congregation. This ministry remained a vibrant outreach of the Church until the Chapel closed in 2019.  Other outreach ministries formed include an informal group of members who stay in touch with members who are ill and shut-in. Deacon Lorna remains committed to both the in-reach and outreach ministries of the Church. She has led quiet day reflections for groups within and outside of St. Mary Magdalene. She has often led Deacon’s Masses at small churches without a priest. Of all the ministries in which Deacon Lorna participates, she is most humbled and grateful to be involved in the ministry of praying with congregants facing life’s challenges.

Deacon Lorna serves the Diocese of Southeast Florida as a member of the Disciplinary Committee. She also serves on the Board of Deacons.   

Professionally, Deacon Lorna worked for some years in Human Resource Departments as a Training Manager, but most of her working years were spent in Social Work. She worked with at-risk teenagers counselling them and guiding them to resources to build a meaningful future. The last twenty years of her profession, were spent working with Seniors, guiding them to the resources needed to maintain their safety and independence. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a master’s degree in Adult Education. She is now retired, cherishes some alone time for prayer and reflection, but divides her time between the Church and her family which consists of two daughters, their husbands and three grandchildren.

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