“…And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were.  Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.”

Here is the birth of the church; what a powerful moment in our rich history.  The apostles gathered in the upper room, still fearful, now have the courage to follow the gospel Jesus had given them.  The Spirit enables the apostles to communicate to all those gathered; each person being able to hear in their native tongue.  Such vivid language shows the power of the Spirit that the Father sent as promised by Jesus.

What strength we can see in the courage when it is empowered by the Holy Spirit.  Pentecost reminds us that we each have been enflamed by the Holy Spirit.  Jesus promised that he would not leave us orphans and that the Advocate, the Spirit of Truth, would be sent out of love from the Father.  We might not experience the same thing the apostles did but it is the very same Spirit.  Once we allow the Spirit to fill our lives we too are empowered to go out to all nations and bring the gospel message.  We each have the universal language to communicate with in the world around us.  Jesus gives us the hint of what that language is in the gospel today.  Jesus twice tells his frightened friends; “Peace be with.”  He reveals himself to them and calms their fears.

Jesus calls them to move from fear to mission.  As the Father has sent him, so now he comes to send his apostles.  Once again he gives them the Spirit and a challenge in their ministry.  They are given the power to forgive or retain sins.  What an awesome responsibility to have placed into their lives.  No wonder Jesus gave them his peace and the Holy Spirit.  This command was something that they must not take lightly.  The apostles will have to rely on what the Master had taught them.  I believe that if they reflect on Jesus’ life they will do more forgiving than retaining of sins.

Pentecost Sunday is a time not only to remember our roots but it is also a time to remember our mission.  We are called to receive the Peace of the risen Lord, breathe in the Holy Spirit, and continue the spreading of the Good News.  We are a people who know sin but we also know the compassionate forgiveness that the Father has shown us through his Son, our brother Jesus.  We are called out of our locked rooms, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to be Christ for one another.  When we humbly embrace the gifts of the Spirit we can then become an instrument of peace and healers of hurts. 

Our church is filled with a richness of many wonderful gifts.  As the Spirit empowers those gifts to be shared, our church can continue to grow.  The Holy Spirit is always present in the church but it is up to each of us to recognize it in our own life; in the Body of Christ, the Church.  It is easy to complain and say that the Spirit is not alive in the church these days of turmoil, but that would be so wrong.  Jesus will not go back on his promise; the Spirit will remain to guide and give us courage to continue his work; the work of the Father.