Spirit

When the day of Pentecost had come, the disciples 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. - Acts 21:1-2

Grace and peace to you. The cloudy sky has just made way for the sun, at least for a while. Rain is coming. The forecast is for rain tomorrow morning. No worries, the parish picnic will likely be indoors in the parish hall. Bring your favorite side dish to share. Sue Cromer has indoor activities planned for the children and youth, perhaps in the Nave! 

Tomorrow we celebrate Pentecost, the day the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles like tongues of fire, giving them the ability to speak in many languages, and the crowd gathered could hear God’s message proclaimed in their own language.  Peter addressed the crowd, saying, “In the last days, God says, I will pour my Spirit on all people.”

We will welcome three new members into the household of God through baptism tomorrow – Austen Altmire, Marco Allais, and Rory Burgwinkle – three young ones who will grow up among the saints at Saint Peter’s.

The Holy Spirit is moving among us, sometimes as a rushing wind and other times as a quiet whisper. She is ushering in a new reality where all people are gathered around God’s table and every person has what they need to live fully as the one God has created them to be… all people of every race and nation in their diversity of expression. 

Let us join God’s reality and that kingdom that is coming. Let us continue to be a people of extravagant welcome. Let us learn the language of our neighbors and speak to them of God’s love for them.

For those who find music to fill them with the Spirit, here is a motet by 16th Century Spanish Composer Tomás Luís de Victoria, which tells the story of Pentecost. For those with a more contemporary musical taste, here’s Sarah McLauchlan’s World’s On Fire.