Monday, June 8, A.D. 2009

Day of the Holy Spirit

On this day after Pentecost, Whit Monday in the West, allow me to post one of the most common and, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful short and simple prayers in Christian praxis.

O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of truth, who art everywhere present and fillest all things; treasury of good things, and giver of life—come and dwell in us, and cleanse us of every impurity, and save our souls, o good one.

Yesterday in the Pentecostal sermon, the priest spoke about the Hebrews’ experience with the presence of God—the שכינה, which was limited to certain times, places, and people. After Pentecost, however, the presence of God ought to dwell in every Christian.

We very well do not behave as if our own person were the Holy of Holies. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians obviously comes to mind, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

Posted by Joseph on Monday, June 8, A.D. 2009
Religion | Orthodoxy • Permalink