Come, Holy Spirit
“When Pentecost Day arrived, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound from heaven like the howling of a fierce wind filled the entire house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be individual flames of fire alighting on each one of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them to speak.” – Acts 2:1-4
I snuck in a round of berry picking on Sauvie Island for some incredible Hood Strawberries. Move over, Sweet Sunrise, Mary’s Peak, and (my favorite name) OSU Test Variety! The delicate Hoods in their incredibly short picking season were all I wanted.
It had rained earlier in the day, bending the already sprawling strawberry plants so that the paths between the rows were obscured with the most delicate strawberries and their bushy leaves. In order to pick, berry casualties were inevitable. By the time I’d filled half a flat, the soles of my sneakers were dyed berry red – just in time for Pentecost!
The tradition of wearing red or other flame-like colors on the Sunday of Pentecost is an ode to that great Holy Spirit moment we read of in the second chapter of Acts, when flames alight on each of the disciples and fill them with the Holy Spirit.
Pentecost is a remarkable event of wind, fire, and change (though notably, no berries, Hoods or otherwise). Instead of bringing all into unison (the same voice, the same language) the Spirit causes a massive cacophony! The Holy Spirit doesn’t make it so that all speak the Galileans language, but rather allows the Galileans to speak to the hearts of others in their own language.
This is the great opening, in which being in community is no longer defined by the active command, “come here,” but instead, “go there.” Here we mark and receive anew the invitation and empowerment to be in wholehearted connection with all of God’s good creation.
At the ascension (that’s 40 days after Easter), Jesus invites the disciples to witness to the ends of the earth. At Pentecost (50 days after Easter) they are changed by the Spirit to do so. No longer must they rely on the narrow thought of only being in community with those who are like them or who can adapt and assimilate to their ways of life and language. On Pentecost, the Spirit calls each individual to let themselves be changed.
The entire movement is defined by a flexibility to let ourselves be changed by those around us for the sake of our changed selves being a witness to the love of God, a beacon of hope for the redemption of the world.
What an invitation.
Practically speaking, it may mean things happening differently than perhaps we’d first planned. Or perhaps a diversity of thought that enrichens our inner lives. Staying curious when we find ourselves becoming angry or defensive. It may mean being open to different truths than the one
we came in holding firm. It means our community of faith growing alongside and intertwined with the communities we live in.
The invitation of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost is an exciting (if sometimes scary) one. As we prepare to celebrate Pentecost once again, I find myself returning to this litany for the Festival of Pentecost. I invite you to pray it with me:
O Holy Spirit, who swept over the face of the waters at the birth of creation, usher us into new birth as the midwife of our salvation.
O Holy Spirit, who spoke through the prophets with the words of justice, sweep us into your streams of righteousness.
O Holy Spirit, who marked the baptism of our Lord when Jesus was called “beloved,” reassure us to know our true worth as beloved children of God.
O Holy Spirit, who was promised as an Advocate sent in Jesus’ name, remind us of the teachings of Christ to love one another- in word and in deed.
O Holy Spirit, who on the day of Pentecost came upon the disciples as of fire, inspire us to be witnesses of the risen Christ.
That we may set our lives according to the reign of God and not the reign of our fears and doubts, Spirit, shine through us.
That we may be instruments of justice and peace amidst our broken world, Spirit, shine through us.
That we may be the hands and feet of Christ, working and marching with our beloved neighbors, Spirit, shine through us.
That we may be witnesses of the love of the Gospel such that no one stands outside the circle of our compassion, Spirit, shine through us.
That we may be one in the Body of Christ, one community of believers dwelling in a unity that transcends uniformity, Spirit, shine through us.
Come, Holy Spirit, heal us.
Come, Holy Spirit, empower us.
Come, Holy Spirit, embolden us.
Come, Holy Spirit, challenge us.
Come, Holy Spirit, hold us, today and every day. Amen and Amen.
See you this Sunday in your Pentecost/strawberry red!
Pastor Karyn