WHOOOOSH!

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.  Acts 2:1-4”

WHOOOOSH! Oh, the sounds that filled the room when the Holy Spirit came!!  Their hearts were burning, their eyes were blinking in disbelief, their ears were full of the cacophony of sound – imagine the moment!  When we close our eyes, and place ourselves in this powerful and holy space, we can truly sense the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit.  Twenty plus centuries later, it still gives us the tingles…

Is it possible that we can experience the power of God today – as they did in this moment?  I say, yes! The word Pentecost comes from the Greek word pentçkostç which means “fiftieth” because it occurs on the 50th day after Passover in Judaism, and after Easter in the Christian tradition.  It was a pivotal event in the beginning of the early Church.

Just days before, the disciples including the apostles and the women, watched as Jesus ascended into heaven.  After leaving the Mount of Olives, they returned to Jerusalem, and they agreed that “they were in this for good, completely together in prayer”.  They remained in that posture – united and praying.  So, when the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place, when suddenly – without warning there was this strong, gale force wind.  It was so strong – that no one could tell where it came from – but it filled the whole building.  “Then – like a wildfire – the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks and they began to speak in different languages as the Spirit led them…”

Living in Napa Valley, we are familiar with the power of these forces – wind and wildfire.
We know what they can mean to a community.  Here in this story, these are the expressions of the powerful and surprising presence of the Holy Spirit.  She descends upon each of us. She brings us power directly from the throne of the Father, and she unifies us with the flames of His love burning in our hearts.

I often think that if we can be completely unified in the power of God’s love – we too could hear the WHOOOOSH of the Holy Spirit moving in our presence, reminding us that we are not left to walk alone, but are equipped with the courage and strength to boldly witness to the love of God for every person.  We can move from fear to fullness, from defeat to confidence, from division to absolute unity.  In the confusing din of the many voices, perspectives, languages, political views of today, we can all hear the same message that  God is LOVE.  We are being called to embrace others in love and understanding, to bring a fresh start, to allow the Spirit to revive us personally to a deeper intimacy with God and each other, and to bring this transformative power of love to the World.

This is the call of the Spirit!  This is the call of Love!
Amen!
Deacon Diana