The Coming of The Spirit of Truth

Scripture: Acts 2:1-21 or Ezekiel 37:1-14; ; Psalm 104: 25-35,37; Romans 8:22-27 or Acts 2:1-21;John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15


Pentecost ... 50 days from Easter, contemporaneous with the harvest of wheat feast of the Jews, the birthday of the Church ... tongues of fire, strangers speaking with strangers and communicating, understanding one another - the reverse of the Tower of Babel story - the rushing of wind, the great and still, small wind, the Spirit breathing life into dry bones, the ascension of Christ, the Spirit of Truth, the Advocate, the Comforter sent by the Father, a first glimpse of the Trinity. We follow up the Johannine "abide" passages with the infusion of the Holy Spirit into our lives, and we are sent out from the Greek αποστελειν - from which we get apostle -  to proclaim and live the good news. "And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love, Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love." Fruits of the Spirit, of the Vine become manifest in us and our works as we abide in Christ, and he in us. See "A Living God Present in Spirit and Power" by John Donahue, S.J.


What does Pentecost mean to you? The Rev. Dr. Barbara K. Lunblad in “When Pentecost Ends Too Soon,” tells us :


* A Pentecost church will reach out to people of every language and tongue. 
* A Pentecost church will call young and old, women and men to prophesy. 

* A Pentecost church will preach and baptize, but the story always ends too soon if a Pentecost church isn't concerned about economics. Economics? Yes, Economics. What does she mean by that?

Whether you're hearing about Pentecost for the first time or the fiftieth, don't miss the last part of the story. Let's make sure that Pentecost doesn't end too soon.

Let us pray The Rev. Dr. Lundblad's prayer:

Come, Holy Spirit. Come as mighty wind or gentle breath. Blow on the embers of our faith. Empower us to speak and to act so that there might come a day when there is not a needy person among us. Amen.