Reflection on Pentecost Sunday

Acts 2:1-11 1Cor 12:3b-7,12-13 John 20:19-23

Good morning and welcome to Pentecost! I am going to ask that we use our imaginations this morning to imagine us as Jesus’ disciples gathered behind locked doors, like we might be late at night, during a tornado warning as we sit huddled in our so-called “safe place.”  We are somewhat anxious and fearful as we hear the howling of the strong winds outside rattling the windows. I’m sure there have been times when in this situation, someone is there to assure those gathered not to worry or be afraid. God is with us.

This is how it might have been at that first Pentecost as Jesus’ disciples sat fearfully huddled together, not knowing what to expect other than remembering that Jesus told them he would send God’s Spirit. The coming of the Spirit as described in the Scriptures, may or may not have involved the dramatic tongues of fire, the strong winds and the speaking in tongues. I believe that the main message of the Gospel is that when Jesus comes to the disciples, he greets them by bringing peace, and gives them the assurance that while he will no longer be with them in person, as before, that he will leave them in the good care of the Holy Spirit, who will empower them with the gifts they need to carry on their ministries.  

St. Paul writes, “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same spirit; there are different forms of service, but the same Lord, and there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone.”

Well known spiritual author Richard Rohr has a very insightful interpretation of Pentecost that I thought worth sharing: He says, “ Pentecost has to have been less an outpouring of God’s Spirit and more an outpouring of an AWARENESS of God’s Spirit that has always been the sustaining breath of creation.”  He goes on to say that “the Pentecost moment was far more far-reaching and significant than just a personal experience of blessing.”  In other words, these gifts come to us not as a keepsake treasure we are to hold close to ourselves or keep stored away like a beautiful locket in a jewelry box. No, Rohr says, “ We are to receive God’s gift of the Spirit as an EMPOWERMENT which comes with the responsibility to grow in love, to grow in compassion for others, for all creatures and for the earth. Then, as we live out our empowerment, we can inevitably make daily choices in the direction of unity, sustainability, peace and inclusivity.”

The Feast of Pentecost is a powerful reminder that as long as we have breath within us, regardless of our age, our physical ailments and limitations, the gift of the Holy Spirit still lives in us. I want to close with the wisdom of Henri Nouwen who wrote that “we are seldom aware of our own breathing. It is so essential for life that we only think of it when something is wrong with it. The Spirit of God is like our breath. God’s Spirit is more intimate to us than we are to ourselves. We might not often be aware of it, but without it, we cannot live a spiritual life. It is the Holy Spirit of God who prays in us and who offers us the gifts of love, forgiveness, kindness, goodness, gentleness, peace and joy. It is the Holy Spirit who offers us the very life that death cannot destroy.”  

On this feast day, may we give thanks for the breath of life within us. Amen.