Pentecost Thoughts

The Acts version of the coming of the Spirit in a new way swamps our understanding. We often miss it, but the writers of scripture offer several ways to describe the Spirit and to depict her work in the world. In Luke’s gospel the Spirit is there from the very beginning.  He tells the story slightly differently in his gospel than in his second volume. In Acts, Luke offers us drama. The Spirit comes in a new way with whistling wind and appears like tongues of flame settling on each disciple, both men and women. They are driven out to speak in languages they could not know. The diversity of God’s creation is affirmed. People far from home hear the language that speaks to their souls.

In John, on Easter day, Jesus breathes the Spirit on each of those gathered. No whistling wind. No tongues of flame. A gentle breath they inhale in shock. As they breathe they know in their bones they are deeply held in love. Just as Paul will later say, there is nothing in all creation that can separate them from this love. These disciples are not driven out, but go home to fish. The love takes time to sink roots deep enough that with some fish and bread the first fruits appear. Only then do they remember all that Jesus taught them about being in the same love that exists between Jesus and the Father. The Spirit accompanies them as Jesus did, comforting and teaching, and they know again and begin to sparkle in Divine Love.

All these differences remind us that the coming of the Spirit is not a past event to be remembered and celebrated, but a recurring event that continues to call God’s people to step into new horizons. How have we experienced the coming of the Spirit in our life as a parish, and as individuals? What has the Spirit set into motion in the past, and what is the Spirit setting into motion now?