Celebrate Pentecost

by the Rev. Jeff Goldone, Interim Priest

The first Pentecost was not merely an emotional experience for the apostles, but a divine empowering. It was God once again breaking into human history in yet another new way. And, bear in mind, this first Pentecost wasn't just a one-time event. It continues on to this day. It was the start of something new for all believers, and it continues on with us each and every day. The Holy Spirit still empowers each of us to be witnesses today to proclaim Christ crucified and Christ resurrected. It is not about our eloquence of speech, but the Spirit's power working through us to proclaim the Good News. Are you ready to share that Good News?

We are told that the Spirit gives us different gifts: wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues, and interpretation. These gifts are for the common good of all humanity, to build up the body of Christ in the world. Each gift is important and interdependent. No gift is superior or inferior. Are you generously sharing the gifts you have been given?

Pentecost reminds us that the same Spirit unites us despite our differences in personality, background, or giftedness. By the one Spirit, we were all baptized into the one body of Christ. This is the foundational truth of our unity. Are we celebrating the diversity of God's gifts or are we allowing them to cause division? Pentecost calls us to embrace and leverage our differences for God's glory! 
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Red is the liturgical color for celebrating this great feast day. Red symbolizes the blood of Christ poured out for us, but also the fire of the Holy Spirit that now dwells in us to be witnesses and evangelists to the world. I invite and encourage you to wear your prettiest red on Sunday to show our witness of the Spirit!