what I see

When the last days come, I will give my Spirit to everyone.
     Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
     Your young men will see visions,
     and your old men will have dreams.

In those days I will give my Spirit to my servants,
     both men and women,
     and they will prophesy.

This was a part of the reading this past Sunday. On the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit fell upon the apostles and all those in worship, Peter stood up and said the above passage. He was quoting the prophet Joel. This passage was written probably 700 years before. (2,700 years ago for us) The prophet saw something and declared it. Peter and thus the Church believes Joel saw what was happening during Peter’s time. I see this happening in our day and time.

Young men and women have aspirations (dreams) of the future. They dream about what life will be like and what they can and will do in life. Older men and women have wisdom (visions) of what the future will look like based on what they have experienced in life. They also may have visions of the afterlife. Joel and Peter saw that the Holy Spirit will inspire young men and women to have thoughts of heaven and will receive wisdom, not from experience, but from God. In the same way, older people will have aspirations like the youth. The Holy Spirit will breathe new life into older people and give them hope, dreams, love and joy like they felt when they were young. I am seeing this happen today.

I have seen new life at Saint John’s in our so-called “older people.” There are folks who are finding new love. They are dreaming of a new and different life. There are others who are finding their spiritual gifts. They are dreaming about what God is calling them to do. And there are others that are finding energy, joy, and strength in donating their time in causes in Chula Vista. We have many others who have found healing and are dreaming of a better life with a better functioning body. Others who have let go of pain and disappointment the Holy Spirit is breathing in restoration. They are dreaming of their new life free from guilt and resentment.

The Day of Pentecost is here! The Spirit is making all things new.

 -Fr. Dave