Jun. 8, 2020

Contributed by KS Maui Kahu Kalani Wong KSK’74

Ka Ipu o Lono shares weekly devotionals to provide spiritual enrichment to members of the Kamehameha Schools ‘ohana. For more inspiration, visit the KS “Our faith” website.

Heluhelu Baibala

A hiki ‘i‘o maila ka lā Penetekota, ua ‘ākoakoa pū lākou a pau, me ka mana‘o lōkahi.		When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
‘Emo ‘ole, pa‘ē maila ka leo, mai ka lani mai, me he makani nui Ikaika lā; a ho‘opiha loa ihola i ka hale a pau, kahi a lākou i noho ai.		Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
A ‘ike ‘ia akula e lākou nā elelo manamana, me he ahi lā, a kau maila i luna iho o kēlā mea kēia mea o lākou a pau.		They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
A piha a‘ela lākou a pau I ka ‘Uhane Hemolele; a ho‘omaka lākou e ‘ōlelo aku me nā elelo ‘ē, e like me ka hā‘awi ‘ana mai o ka ‘Uhane iā lākou e ‘ōlelo aku.		All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. - Acts 2:1-4

He manaʻo o ke kahu

Iesū was crucified on Passover and the people were devastated. What did they do now? All the build-up for setting a new order was gone. So when Iesū rose after three days in the tomb, the disciples were ecstatic. Their Messiah was back. But this return wasn’t permanent nor was it to be business as usual. It was a time of reminding and planning, of reviewing all the lessons taught in the three years that Iesū ministered to the people. He knew he had to leave again, this time for good. So he took them back over the life lessons, preparing them for their turn to be ministers.

Forty days after he resurrected, Iesū ascended into heaven. What did the disciples do now? Iesū was gone again and the feelings of anxiety crept back into their hearts. They sheltered in place, living in fear, uncertain what was to happen. Would they face persecution as Iesū did? What were they to do? On the day of Pentecost, the Feast of Weeks, the sound of a violent wind filled the house they were in and tongues of fire touched each of them. Ka ʻUhane Hemolele enabled each to speak in other languages, something they could never do before. Ke Akua moved them forward into the next phase of their lives.

We have been sheltered in place, maybe fearing what was out in the community. How have we used that time? Have we been cowering in fear or have we been contemplating our future? Have we listened for ka leo o ke Akua calling us to new areas of ministry or new ways of serving? Just as ka ʻUhane Hemolele came upon the believers, equipping them and moving them to new ministries, so can we. In the same way we had to rethink how we taught our lessons or did our work, let’s rethink of how we serve others through ka ‘Uhane Hemolele. In the same way that the Spirit moved among the believers and enabled them to do so much more than what they could have done before, so will we.

This week, ponder one of these topics each day:

1. Move from fear-filled to faith-filled lives. Stand firm on the reality that ke Akua would never leave us nor forsake us. That no matter what, the Holy Spirit is always with us, guiding us and filling us. What fear or area of doubt do you need to release?

2. Ka ‘Uhane Hemolele touched each of the disciples so they could speak in a different language enabling them to share the Gospel with those gathered in Jerusalem for Pentecost from other lands, let ke Akua move us beyond our familiar spaces into new arenas. Who are these unknowns that we are being called to serve and minister to?

3. Pule for an opening of your heart and your mind to have the confidence in your abilities. You have the ability to do that which is needed to be done. 1 Corinthians 12:7 tells us, “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” Pule for an understanding of what that gift is and how to use it for the “common good.”

4. Pentecost is known as the birthday of the church. As the Holy Spirit breathed new life into the disciples, how can you breathe new life into your church or fellowship?

5. Pentecost, or Feast of Weeks, had folks bringing the first fruits of their harvest to the temple for a blessing that the rest their harvest might be plentiful. Lift up your hana that ke Akua might bless it so your efforts might see growth during this season and the seasons to come.

As we celebrate ka lā Penetekota – the day of Pentecost – KS Maui Kahu Kalani Wong KSK’74 suggests ways to serve others under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Here, KS Digital Innovation Manager Andreas Arvman and Investment Operations Director Euan Beer celebrate their service to Princess Pauahi’s legacy at Mauna ‘Ala, her final resting place.