Happy Pentecost

This coming Sunday we will celebrate Pentecost.  This is the day the Church remembers the coming of the Holy Spirit, the gift of Jesus Chirst promised to his followers - to send a Comforter to them after his death, as told in the Book of Acts chapter 2.  However, you may not be aware that Pentecost is originally a Jewish festival called Shavuot that takes place 50 days [pente- means 50] after Passover.  The Jewish festival celebrates the anniversary of the day God gave the Torah (the Law) to the nation of Israel assembled at Mount Sinai.
These Pentecost events parallel each other in several ways. The Israelites, wandering in the desert after being freed from slavery, were complaining about life and reminicing about how much “better” it was in Eygpt.  The early disciples were wandering a bit as well, unsure of what to do after Jesus death.  The Israelites were assured of the Promised Land, but were too anxious of their current circumstance to follow God faithfully.  The disciples had been instructed by Jesus about the kingdom of God for 3 years prior to his death, and yet their anxiety stalled their ministry without Jesus’ leadership.  The Israelist needed God’s revelation to understand their relationship as being God’s people in order to move forward.  The disciples needed Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit to be fulfilled to empower them to use all they had learned to continue sharing the good news of God’s kingdom.  Both stories show God’s continuous interation with humanity, bearing us up in the midst of difficulty and showing us how to live according to God’s Word.
While there are many similarities with the Jewish festival, the Christian festival of Pentecost is more than an anniversay.  It is the second most important Christain holy day (Easter, of course, is first).  Pentecost establishes the Church as the continued presence of Christ’s body on earth through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in all believers.  To celebrate the Holy Spirit’s presence, I encourage you to WEAR RED on Sunday, to symbolize the fire of God’s love that burns in our hearts. 
Due to the secular holiday of Memorial Day, some of you may be away from church this Sunday.  Wherever your plans take you, I hope you will commemorate the occasion in some way, expressing the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life, perhaps by sharing God’ love in service to another.  That is the true legacy and intent of Pentecost – to never let the fire of God’s love be extingished.  That is our challenge and our joy.
Happy Pentecost,

Rev. Valerie+

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