Pascha VIII – Pentecost

The Eighth Sunday of Easter: The Solemnity of Pentecost

Acts 2:1-11; Psalm 104; 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13; John 20:19-23

The exuberance of ecstatic singing whether it be the extravagant melismas of Gregorian chant to the wordless improvisations of vocal jazz by an Ella Fitzgerald, breath and sounds overflow enfolding the listener as well as rising throughout the cosmos. They give voice to the joy and hope-filled breath of God within us. The breath of God that continues to make this clay from which we are made living beings. It is the breath that hovered, alighting like a bird, lilting over the primordial waters of chaos…in the beginning.

It is the same breath of God that Jesus “handed over” from the cross as he died, that he breathed over the disciples on the evening of the Resurrection, and that descended this day like crashing lightning with such strength it burst into flames upon the disciples.

It is the breath of God that in silence envelopes child and adult as the waters of Baptism washes over them. It is the silent breath of God that sets apart as hands are laid on the heads of those chosen and are being ordained. It is the breath of God exhaled over perfumed olive oil to seal us in Christ. It is the breath of God hovering over bread and wine feeding us unto eternity.

When the Spirit, the breath of God, is present chaos becomes ordered as the dark, changing, fearful waters at creation have continued to give way to light revealed to us by every sunrise and the great constellations and galaxies shining through the night.

When Spirit breaths, infant lungs are filled as the inanimate clay from which God molded the first human becomes a living being and divine dignity is bestowed.

When Jesus breaths the breath of God upon us, we are forgiven and are all given the authority and the responsibility to forgive.

When the breath of God descends like lightening we can only speak words that inspire and encourage other people who are the mightiest and most beautiful work of God.

We live in a time of chaos and fear.

Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

Many of us are wandering as if there is no life within us.

Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

In a period when words are used as weapons and purposely filled with deception and lies.

Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

When there is much need for forgiveness to be graciously offered and received.

Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

When there is a need to speak and to hear of God’s goodness that continually surrounds us.

Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

We need the breath of God.

The Spirit has been present throughout the cosmos since the beginning. The breath of God was the source of the beginning and the continued Sustainer of all new beginnings.

Our responsibility?

Whenever we offer the healing of forgiveness, respect and speak up for the dignity of very person and proclaim the goodness of God we participate in the Spirit’s work of renewing the face of the earth and creating new life. That is a Pentecost not of a past behind locked doors but of a present reality.