A Sideways Glance at Pentecost Sunday

This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday. The timing is based on how the writer on Luke-Acts describes it in the Book of Acts, rather than how it is described in the Gospel of Luke, or John's Gospel - on Easter Sunday. In Acts it is big and dramatic and makes such a grand story. No wonder we went with that version.

Personally I prefer the John version. It is small and intimate. Jesus breathes the Spirit of Peace into the disciples - and they are changed. The danger with the Acts version with all its drama is that we long for that, or dismiss it as something that happened 2,000 years ago. Not for us thankyou. The invitation of John is to pay attention to when the Spirit of Peace has been breathed into us, and what difference that has made.

I wrote this little reflection this week about where I am at. In short, the Spirit of Peace has been breathed into me. I don't know when. Maybe while I joined 13 others and cycled for 7 days from Aoraki to Oamaru. Not dramatic. But life giving.

So while we hear the dramatic story on Sunday, how has the Spirit of Peace and Life been breathed into you?

To be honest it's been
a tough few years.
COVID and such have taken a toll.
Great plans have been let go.
Disappointment has left it's mark
Hope has dwindled.
The cross has been lived.
Death held sway.
That is what makes that Friday so good
resting at the crucifixion
naming the pain and weariness
carrying the cross heavy and rough
knowing the divine presence in that.
Seeds have been planted deep.
Restoration is gently begun
as I am invited again
to live the dream and hope of God.