Kamehameha Schools has created a series of Hawaiian-focused devotionals for Lent, to honor the deep Christian faith of our founder Princess Pauahi. The devotionals were designed to be used by staffers, students and others to celebrate the coming of Easter, so please feel free to share them!
Heluhelu Baibala / Scripture reading
“Akā, e loaʻa nō iā ʻoukou ka mana, ke hiki mai ka ʻUhane Hemolele ma luna iho o ʻoukou; a e lilo auaneʻi ʻoukou i poʻe hōʻike noʻu ma Ierusalema, a ma Iudea a pau, a ma Samaria, a hiki wale aku i ke kihi o ka honua.” – ‘Oihana 1:8
“…but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” – Acts 1:8 He manaʻo o ke kahu
KS Kapālama Kahu Sherman Thompson Do you often feel that something needs to happen still, or that things are left unsettled or undone leaving an emptiness? Perhaps that is how Jesus’ disciples felt after our Lord’s suffering, crucifixion and resurrection.
But those disciples were re-energized as Iesū breathed ka ʻUhane Hemolele (the Holy Spirit) on them to continue bringing about the kingdom of ke Akua on Earth – empowered to bring heaven and earth much closer to being one.
Sometimes we need more than willpower in our lives and that’s what the disciples soon realized with the help of ka ʻUhane Hemolele. What does this all mean for us?
It means allowing ka ʻUhane Hemolele to live through us to accomplish a new creation in ourselves and the world around us. Let ka ʻUhane Hemolele work within us to make us gradually more Christlike – a renewal.
Our kuleana is to free ourselves from undesirable habits and develop new ones that help us to emulate the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. As ka ʻUhane Hemolele imparts gifts to us like the Spirit did upon the disciples, may the gifts that you receive empower you for the calling ke Akua has placed on your life.
He manaʻo o ka haumāna
KS Kapālama senior ʻĀina Abergas As a strong Christian Hawaiian, I am deeply rooted in the Bible. My week begins with choosing scriptures to ponder. As I gave thought to this week’s focus on Acts 1:8, the relevance for me as a student and Hawaiian was overwhelming. Relying on ka ʻUhane Hemolele to provide strength wherever I am is one of the most reassuring things. For me, that’s what being rooted in the Word of God means. All scriptures can be relevant for us if we are willing to read and listen. Let ka ʻUhane Hemolele empower you as it does for me!”
The photo of ʻĀina and Kahu Sherman was taken before spring break. |
