Funny thing in the church is that we spend roughly 5 months to prepare for the coming Christ and 5 months just getting us ready to experience the Pentecost. We expect the Pentecost to be on the plaza with a flame over our brow. We expect that we are going to be able to heal the ill among us and some among us will handle snakes because that means we are empowered by the spirit (Holy).
The 11 are gathered in Jerusalem. Jesus has left the myth of him being a military leader behind, and in fact, asks them to be at peace: Peace be with you. On that first day, Jesus surprises his followers. He was crucified and put in a tomb for nearly 3 days and then asks them to be at peace. Jesus spends 40 more days inviting the followers to be at peace. He leaves. Realizing that he has gone home, they seek his promise amid their shattered hope.
They gather, locked away, mourning, doubting, rejoicing and it is 10 days later. It is the day of the Pentecost and something moves them out into the community and the fire of the spirit flames over their heads. They tell the stories of what happened earlier in their weeks. They tell how Jesus had changed their lives. For some it is the miracles in their midst and still others wonder what they have been drinking, smoking, eating, or what is wrong. But the spirit doesn’t come to inspire speaking in tongues. The spirit comes to encourage us to say Jesus is Lord. The spirit comes to enable us to be us, children of God.
A few years later, Paul is writing to the church at Corinth when he suggests that no one can say Jesus is Lord unless he is with the Holy Spirit. But then he goes a step further and he says that to go with the Holy Spirit is to be who you are – talented and blessed – to be. And what does that mean? Paul challenges us to look at our skills and talents and to live them, to live the dominion of God. We are baptized and empowered in the spirit and that power is to help those who have lost their way find their direction. The power of the spirit invites us to heal the sick, comfort the broken, and invite the stranger into our midst. That power is given to work for the common good. The spirit empowers us to live in the power of reconciliation.
Through this season of Pentecost, we are invited to explore the scriptures, to be surprised in what we think God asks us and to be surprised how we might change. Maybe take a class through Alive in Faith, or do an online class? Maybe take a class to challenge what you think you believe and maybe become a Deacon or perhaps a pastor? We walk the season, not knowing the answers, but walking enables us to discover that God is in the midst of our life, asking us to Love the People given us, walking/living among the homeless or the stranger who is seeking a place to be or a place to be safe. We are given the power to discover how to feed our minds and bodies, to reach out to those who are hopeless and afraid. We are, during this season, to be expectant, not in terror but in Joy as the Trinity changes us and our everyday world and encourages us to be at peace.
Give yourself the time to make a list of your gifts, those things that you have never lived but want to. Make a list of gifts you want to share and then share them. Be spirit driven to say that it is so when you share the blessings you have so that others might simply live. Let this Pentecost blow through your life with the spirit of faithfulness and let it fill you with life.
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