May 19, 2024 ☩ Pentecost

Two images stand at the center of this day: wind and fire.

We have an easy understanding of wind when we sit outside on a nice Spring day with a gentle breeze cooling us.  If we pay attention, we see the effects of wind in so many other aspects, yet we do not see the wind itself.  We might hear wind, and maybe only notice it when we try to hold a phone conversation when we are in it.  We see wind push the flowers to and fro, and swaying the branches in the trees.  In large fields of long grass, we see the wind create ripples like waves across the skinny, tall blades.  A multitude of effects – but the same wind.

The wind continues by blowing the dandelion seeds off from their stem.  Similarly, the pollen from trees and flowers is cast into the air – what appears to be a punishment to allergy sufferers but a necessity to the survival and procreation of plants.  So, wind encourages life.

We can study wind in every facet of air moving.  Consider the first chapter of Genesis.  God spoke, breath moved, and things came to exist.  We breathe and our sustenance persists.  Our own breath even aids the formation of sounds, words, sentences, ideas, conveyances of love and support.  A simple breath does a lot too.  Similarly, Ezekiel breathed out as he prophesied to the bones, and they were reformed.  Ezekiel expands our notion of the power of wind by calling to the “four winds” – an understanding and appreciation of wind that harkens back some 5000 years.  Directional winds were often understood to mark seasons, the onset of weather or droughts, and more.  Knowing where wind came from and the effects that were to occur made ancient peoples aware of the power of wind.

With all our experience and understanding of wind, we still cannot see the wind.  We can feel it, we can hear, and we can see the effects it produces – so we know it is there, we believe it is there and know its power, all without seeing it directly.

Wind can power a boat without being exhausted.  Although wind may push in a single direction at any given time, a boat can be steered in most any direction.  Us too, though we may be encouraged and empowered by God’s Spirit, are given the freedom to direct our path directly to God, or in a zigzag path toward our Creator.

This Pentecost, we remember the coming of the power of the Holy Spirit, the heavenly Advocate and Sustainer, upon the disciples.  Interestingly, Luke, the author of Acts, tells us the Spirit came to the disciples (not just the 12 Apostles).  And it was via a rush of violent wind where the disciples and others recognized the power coming forth.

Though they experienced the wind in sound and touch, these early evangelists were also given the visual of tongues of fire.  Fire produces light and represents a fierce passion.  This experience was directly tied to the passionate preaching of the Gospel in many tongues where all understood no matter what their native language and country of origin.

Though let us dig deeper into this symbol of fire.  While most see the flame, fire is more complicated.  Fire is a chemical reaction that requires a fuel and oxygen.  The flame of fire is the byproduct of the reaction above the point of reaction.  Thus we can view the experience of tongues of fire upon the disciples’ heads as participatory and not passive.  The Spirit did not simply happen upon them as the wind burst toward them.  The fire represents an interaction of the Spirit with each of the disciples.  Together, the flame,… the light,… the Gospel becomes evident to all in their presence through the voice and breath of the disciples.

If we pay close attention to the wind in our lives, each cool Spring breeze, each stormy evening, the beating of air from the wings of birds, feeling the air envelop us as we move, or even in our own breath, perhaps we can engulf ourselves in the presence of God’s most Holy Spirit – the presence of God in our lives.  And if we recognize so deeply all of the impacts of wind, though it cannot be seen itself, may we with equal fervor and belief know that God is just as palpably present in our lives, and even more so.  May we cherish the power of the Spirit catching the sails of our souls, giving us the guidance and strength to carry us through our earthly pilgrimage.  And may the essence of our very beings be the fuel for the light of the Gospel that is to spread as we live with, interact with, and participate with the Holy Spirit in our midst.

Amen.