Veni Creator Spiritus!
Come Creator Spirit!
Somehow, I can identify with this prayer for 2022. A prayer that is many centuries old, allegedly more than 1000 years. During important events, Christians sang it. It is a song that is also sung when the archbishops enter the Sistine Chapel in Rome when electing a new pope. Martin Luther felt this song was so important that he translated it into German at the time of the Reformation.
And for us in 2022 it remains the same. Floods, bushfires, Covid, the splitting of people into the categories of the “haves” and “the have-nots.” The geopolitical turmoil with wars which may swallow more and more countries into crisis. It is escalating into a crescendo of events that make individuals feel powerless. Veni Creator Spiritus.
Add into these challenges personal challenges of family stress, health and survival. Needless to say that there are more reasons than ever to sing/cry out “Veni Creator Spiritus!” Come Creator Spirit! This is what this poem is referring to.
And on Pentecost Sunday it becomes a plea, a prayer that depicts the central message of Pentecost. Similar to the disciples in Jerusalem waiting as Jesus had instructed them. Coming together every night since His ascension into heaven. Waiting, as He instructed. And then, on this Sunday, which is a festive day in the Jewish calendar, God’s Spirit came and filled the believers present; and the church is born. God’s Spirit becomes available to each believer.
This event equals the birth of Christ in Bethlehem in importance. The redemptive work of Christ started during his 34 (approximately) years on earth. Since then the outpouring of God’s Spirit happened, and it remained with us as Christians through all the centuries. Guiding, teaching, comforting, leading and confirming Christ’s work. In times of persecution giving Christians the support to suffer despite terrible physical abuse. Thousands of Christians through centuries died joyously, glorifying God on their journey.
Thus “Veni Creator Spiritus!” Also for today. For June 2022. It is a call that Christians willingly make to ask for a continued fulfilling of these promises, submitting to God’s Spirit. Asking, praying for this “recreation” of human beings. Being transformed into the new image. This is what sanctification means. Sanctification is not for holy people and saints, but for us as Christians, on our journey towards the second coming of Christ. Space does not allow quoting the whole song (there are a number of translations available). But let us just look at the first and last four lines:
“Come, Holy Spirit, Creator come,
From your bright heavenly throne!
Come, take possession of our souls,
And make them all your own.
………
All glory to the Father be,
And to the risen Son;
The same to you, O Paraclete,
While endless ages run.
Amen”
When celebrating Pentecost in 2022, let us reflect on the significance of God’s Spirit in personal terms. What does it mean for me, personally? What inspiration do I take to confess “I believe in the Holy Spirit”? Do the promises of John 14: 15 further reverberate in me?
VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS!