Some Thoughts on Pentecost

Pentecost Sunday marks the end of Easter. Bosco Peters reminds us that, “Easter, Ascension, and Pentecost do not form three seasons. The Easter Season celebrates the three dimensions of the resurrection, ascension, and the sending of the Spirit. These fifty days, a seventh of the year, form our “great "Sunday" …. Just as Sunday is the first and the eighth day, so the great Sunday of the fifty days of Easter begins with the day of the resurrection and continues through eight Sundays, an octave of Sundays, a "week of weeks."[1] It is also a turning point in our church year as we enter Ordinary Time where we are invited to stop and pay attention to the work of the Spirit in our lives and the world. Where do we look for this work?

This Pentecost we are given contrasting readings. Acts is the one we know best. Which is not surprising given that’s where the timing and the name comes from. It’s big and loud, full of fire, wind and drama. We often look for the Spirit in the dramatic. In contrast  John’s account is quiet and gentle, occurring on Easter Sunday evening. Jesus enters the room offering peace to his terrified followers. He breathes his life, his Spirit, into each one of them, up close and intimate, that they might embody God’s compassion, generosity, and aroha, just as he had. He continues to quietly meet us in our fear offering peace that we might embody God’s dream for this world today.

As we stop and pay attention to the work of the Spirit this year, how might we bring that peace and compassion into what lies ahead?

 

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[1] Bosco Peters, on Easter is 50 Days. < http://www.facebook.com/events/259012627567219/>