Spirit Filled

"When the day of Pentecost had come, the disciples were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability." — From Act 2:1-21

This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, which is when we liturgically celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is sometimes called the birthday of the church, which gives us a good excuse to eat cake at 9:15 in the morning during breakfast between the 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. services this Sunday. I invite you to cheerfully wear red and celebrate the new life we are offered.

After spending the great 50 days celebrating Easter, we now have the additional promise of the Spirit's availability to us. The Spirit has different aspects and names, and it is a good discernment question to ask what we want the Spirit to be for us during this time and season of our lives. Are we looking for a comforter, challenger, advocate, mediator, or wisdom bearer? Do we want fire or wind or none of the above?

Early Christians had no assumptions about what the gift of the Spirit might mean. I don't think they could have possibly imagined the institutional church as we know it. They were probably asked to give up all they knew and expected based on a promise of something larger that they couldn't see.

As we continue imagining what the church is and should be for us, there are deep and important questions we must ask ourselves. What should we retain? What do we need to let go of? I don't know about you, but I'm almost always likely to choose comfort over challenge on any given day, and yet it is mainly through challenge that I've been most transformed.

Part of the gift of Pentecost is being reminded that transformation and new life is available when we are willing to engage in the challenge. We do not do this alone, but with one another, the guidance of community, and God's promises. This time of challenge in our world, and the promises of God call us in new ways of being the church. We are called to respond in faith and trust. While we may all be called to respond as individuals, the stories of Pentecost teach us that the Spirit is also present in community – with one another.

In this week's gospel lesson, the disciples are locked away in fear after the death of Jesus. He appears, behind the locked doors, offering his peace as he breathes the Spirit upon them. This gift allows them, and us to reach beyond fear and go out into the world. Regardless of how we seek and find the Spirit, it is meant to fill us with the courage to bear God's light and love into the world. Who do you need the Spirit to be for you this year?

Peace, Beth +