As we approach the Trinity season, in which the liturgical focus is on the growth of the Church, it is worthwhile to recognize its connection with Pentecost, the pivotal point in the Church calendar that we have just passed. We are accustomed to thinking of the name "Immanuel" in conjunction with our Lord Jesus Christ, and it is true that He came as "God with us" to be born as a man, to live and walk on this earth, and to suffer death for our sakes. At His Resurrection, He was God with us again, but that was only for a few weeks until He ascended into heaven.

But the wonder of Pentecost is that God is truly with His people again, and shall ever thus remain. God the Son was limited to indwelling one physical body in a specific geographic location. But God the Holy Spirit is present in His Church and can thus spread as far as God's people are willing to go. A wonderful hymn entitled "God is working His purpose out" asserts that "the earth shall be filled with the glory of God as the waters cover the sea." That powerful image is being lived out as the Church takes the gospel to the world, and the Kingdom of God breaks down the strongholds of Satan. God's purpose was for Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth. It is the joyous duty of the Church to join in that purpose, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

As women of the Kingdom, we have the grand privilege of serving a God who is pleased to dwell with all of His people. Each member of the Church may serve a different function in the Kingdom, but all of us are freely given the gift of the Holy Spirit. The growth which is the emphasis of the season of Trinity is possible only because of the Love of God the Father, the Light of Christ, and the Water of the Spirit. If we could only grasp the significance of having a God who dwells within His people as the source of their strength (the actual meaning of "Comforter"), we would praise His name night and day, and we would renew our commitment to carrying out His purpose every day of our lives.

In Christ,

Dss Teresa Johnson

President, Women of the Church
Diocese of Mid-America

dsstrj at dmawomen.org