Devotional Reading from the Daily Common Lectionary: Acts 2: 1-21

Text:  And suddenly there came the sound of the rush of a mighty wind… (v. 2a)

When I was a boy I was in school when a tornado hit, seemingly out of nowhere. This was in a day before severe weather sirens, weather radios and cell phone alerts. School had just let out for the day so most of the students were on their way home. Only a relatively few of us remained in the building. Miraculously, no one was injured. The tornado forever changed the school, though, as the destruction was nearly total.

The thing that I remember most was the eerie silence accompanied by a loud roaring wind that seemingly occurred simultaneously.  For the longest time, decades in fact, whenever a thunderstorm would roll in, my stomach would lurch. I wonder if that is what the experience of Pentecost was like in today’s reading. Seemingly out of nowhere and without warning there was the rush of a mighty wind that filled the entire house as the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles like tiny tongues of fire. The apostles were filled with the Spirit of God. This Spirit changed them forever. They became bold and innovative proclaiming the Good News, the gospel of the Jesus they knew, even at the risk of their lives!

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of gentleness, the hymnwritere says, blowing through the wilderness, calling and free. It is the spirit of restlessness that stirs us from placidness.  The Holy Spirit calls from tomorrow and breaks ancient schemes as it frees us from the bondage of Yesterday and allows captives to dream dreams. (Taken from the lyrics of “Spirit” by James K. Manley)

On this Pentecost may you be touched by the life changing Spirit of God. May you be stirred from placidness, dream dreams and make bold decisions. Amen.