Mary at Pentecost
Picture
Mary and the disciples at Pentecost by a follower of Simon Marmion, 1480’s
Reflection
After the Ascension of Jesus we have the story of the followers of Jesus, Mary, the women, the brothers of Jesus and the eleven remaining apostles gathered together in prayer in the upper room of the Last Supper. Although they realised that Jesus had risen, his followers didn’t seem to be clear what to do about it until they were inspired by the Holy Spirit to go out and tell the world.
We might like to ask the Spirit to fill us and show us how we can share values and truths that are important to us. Come Holy Spirit, take away all my fear and timidity.
Prayer
Preparation: Begin by stilling; then dedicating the time of prayer to God and asking God that all you think, feel and imagine are for the glory of God.
Gift: Ask for what you desire. You may want to by given the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Setting: Imagine you are a character in this story; perhaps Mary or one of the disciples. Let the story unfold and imagine what you might have felt.
Acts 1:12-14 & 2:1-4
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away.
And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying,
Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James.
All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer,
together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.
And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind,
and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.
And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Conversation: When you have finished imagining the scene and you have spent time in quiet contemplation, take a little time to talk to Mary or one of the disciples or Jesus as a friend about whatever comes to you. Imagine how they might reply.
Final Prayer: End with a formal prayer such as the Lord’s Prayer/Our Father or Hail Mary.
Music
The Music: The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me by Philip Stopford words Isaiah (Elgar)
More Music by Philip Stopford on Amazon UK
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The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because He hath anointed me to
preach the gospel to the poor;
He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted,
to preach deliverance to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to preach the acceptable year of the Lord;
to give unto them that mourn
a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning,
the garment of praise
for the spirit of heaviness;
That they might be called trees of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord that He might be glorified.
For as the earth bringeth forth her bud,
and as the garden causeth the
things that are sown in it to spring forth;
So the Lord God will cause
righteousness and praise to
spring forth before all nations.
Isaiah 61: 1–3, 11