The story of Pentecost. When the day of Pentecost had come, they 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.
The image of Fire is common for Pentecost. As is the image of wind, and both words, both elements are used in this scripture. But the image I want to focus on this day is that image of the disciples being all together and something coming from heaven and filling up the place!
That is what i love about this Pentecost story. Last week, we had Jesus ascending and leaving the disciples a final time. They know they must stand on their own and get things done for God. He suggests that he will be with them in a different way. And this week, in this pouring out of the Spirit into the entire house, we have that realized. Jesus resides everywhere among them. Everywhere. But they still must tap into that Spirit to realize its potential in their lives.
It's like a pinata... that classic childhood game... you have a party decoration and you know inside of it there is something that will make the party even better... candy to shower down among the party goers, but you have to go through the process of accessing it. In the traditional game, you beat it with a stick. There are less violent pinatas available, where you each pull a tab and one of the tabs will release the goods... the point is, it takes everyone trying together to access what awaits.
That's how we are as a people of faith. We all can, and certainly have, accessed the Spirit on our own. In the lighting of a candle, in the walking along the shore... But there is something about the power of being together in one place that brings forth the Spirit in beautiful ways. All of us being together, working together, to access the Spirit. And feeling that pouring out of love and grace and peace... well, there's nothing like it. When it rains, it pours.
What ways have you sensed the Spirit with you when you are alone? When you are with others? What would you like to find in a pinata if you cracked it open?
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