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This Sunday is Pentecost.  You might be wondering, “What is that?”  Well, good question.  It’s a word that means “50 days”—specifically, 50 days after Passover.  In Judaism, it’s a religious holiday that celebrates the giving of the 10 Commandments to Moses after the Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt on that first Passover.  In Christianity, it’s the 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection after he was crucified at Passover.  In Luke, the disciples were told by Jesus after Easter to wait—don’t just go off doing stuff—but to wait for God to give them “power from on high.”  Pentecost is the day they received the Holy Spirit in dramatic fashion; tongues of flame on their heads and the ability to speak foreign languages about “God’s mighty deeds of power” (Acts 2:11).

            And as they say, “The rest is history.”  Pentecost is sometimes called the “birthday of the church.”  There’s some truth to that; a new community of faith is born!  These followers of Jesus then fanned out, some traveling thousands of miles, and through their witness, sharing their story, caring for others brought a new community into being.  Through all the ways they lived out their trust in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit was active through them bringing new life to their hearers.  I love Pentecost, because it highlights the work of the Holy Spirit.  I think of all the different ways God touches me and others, and I can’t help but feel that all of life is full of the Spirit.  A song on the radio, a word of encouragement just when you need it, being moved by compassion to help someone, and even tears in the middle of the night (Romans 8:15-17)—to me, all are “signs” of the Spirit at work for us. 

            The Spirit is everywhere, but do people know it?  I don’t think so.  God is quietly and gently inviting us all the time to let go of our egos, to let go of our anxieties and the fear that stokes them, and trust God’s love in Christ.  Think of the power of hearing, “I love you!”  Now think of the effect of never hearing that.  The Spirit is the Comforter and Inspirer.  The Peace-giver and Fire in our hearts and bellies.

Peace,

Pr. Christian