Pentecost must have been brilliant. No language barriers, many healings, miracles, visions, and clear guidance from God; the Apostles were unstoppable. And even in our day an encounter with the Holy Spirit tends to produce great fervour in those who have made the transition from believeing God exists to one’s certainty that He exists. All manner of adventure awaits those who embrace the risk of trusting when He puts you on the spot.
One evening (in the last century) I was on my way to Mass in Manchester City Centre, I parked outside the church at the end of the road as usual (as the traffic wardens had gone home for the night) and was about to walk up when a boy on a bycicle stopped and asked if I would help his friend who had been grabbed by two men at the top of the street. I said ‘yes’ and could see the two figures up ahead. He jumped back on his bike and set off, presumably to tell his friend that the cavalry was on the way!
I walked briskly up the road and decided I had better consult HQ to see what the plan was. So I prayed “Lord, what do you want me to say when I get there?” I waited a few seconds. Complete Radio Silence. Perhaps that was the wrong question. So I prayed “Lord, what shall I do once I get there? And I added a suggestion so as to move things along as I was already half way there.. “Shall I thump him on the nose?” Silence again. In the last 10 seconds I tried to recall the numerous methods God uses to communicate with his people, I scanned the vegetation looking for anything smouldering, checked the pavement for a conveniently discarded donkey’s jaw bone and then suddenly I had arrived.
At a range of 12 inches from the face of the antagonist who still had hold of the boy’s arm I concluded that I ought to follow the instructions precisely. So I said …. Nothing. I did … Nothing. I simply stared at their faces; relentlessly! Neither seemed able to make eye contact with me. He let go of the boy, they exchanged a few more ‘un-pleasantries’ with each other and the two men turned on their heels and left. The boy said “thanks mister” and he and his friend left in the opposite direction. I went to Mass none-the wiser as to what had transpired!
It would be interesting to know the other side of the story; perhaps my guardian angel had shown himself with a flaming sword or maybe I looked more terrifying than usual. In any case I know that God is trustworthy and we can have confidence in Him to come through when we do what is proper. (“In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” John 16:33)
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