Sunday – Feast of Pentecost

Acts of Apostles 2:1-11

Gospel – John 20:19-23

Energized For Peace and Faith

Church of Dormition, Jerusalem

So just a little background!  In today’s first reading, the Jews from all over the world are gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost.  We are celebrating today the Feast of Pentecost.  But they are not the same!  For the Jews, there are 3 feasts know as pilgrimage feasts, days when they travel to the Temple in Jerusalem.  One is Sukkoth, a fall harvest festival also known as Feast of Booths/Tents, remembering when the Israelites traveled in the desert.  Another is the Feast of Passover, celebrating leaving their lives as slaves in Egypt.  And then 50 days after Passover, Pentecost!  Also known as Shavuoth, it is a spring harvest festival celebrating God giving the Law to Moses on Mt. Sinai. 

So the Jewish Feast of Pentecost 50 days after Passover.  And the Christian Feast of Pentecost, celebrating the coming down of the Holy Spirit on the disciples, 50 days after Easter!

So now let me tell you a little story!

Back on October 26 of last year, a group of 19 Buddhist monks began a 2300-mile journey from their temple in Fort Worth, Texas to Washington DC.  Traveling across the Southeast through 9 different states, they walked for 108 days – a symbolic number for Buddhists signifying all the earthly desires and temptations that a person must overcome in order to reach enlightenment.  All for the sake of PEACE!  Through cold and rain, snow and physical hardships!  All for PEACE!

Walking on the roadside of highways did present an extra bit of peril, however.  At one point, there was a collision between a truck and the monks’ escort vehicle.  2 monks were injured; one of them suffered such severe injuries that his leg had to be amputated.  Despite the hospital stay and long recovery, he was able to rejoin the group in Washington at the end of the peace walk.

And that leads us to the Apostles in the first reading!  They are all gathered together in one place.  Think about that!  They are still in hiding!  50 days after Easter and they are still huddled together in one room!  The doors are locked out of their fear of being arrested and put to death.  Even though Jesus has appeared to them a number of times, they are still living in fear, afraid to go out into the world.

And then all that changes!  A great wind!  Tongues of fire!  The pouring down of the Holy Spirit!  And they leave the safety of that room, go out into the world and begin to spread the Word!  They begin the Mission!  Like the monks, they look past their own shortcomings, their own limitations and human frailties!  By the power of the Holy Spirit, they become energized!  Filled with the Spirit, they speak in tongues.

The question for us today is – what energizes us!  Is it our family?  Our job or career?  The birth of our first child or grandchild?  Our favorite hobby or sport?  What is it that enlivens us and gives us that ‘energizer bunny’ burst of enthusiasm?

What about our faith?  By our own Baptism and confirmation, we have all been filled with the Holy Spirit!  That same Spirit that energized the disciples on this Feast of Pentecost! Are we still huddled together in that little room, fearful of the world, afraid and lacking in hope and faith?

Or does your faith energize you?  Does it fill you with courage and hope to go out into the world and share the message of the Gospel?   Does it fill you with the peace Jesus shares with the disciples in today’s Gospel?  How far would you walk for peace?  For compassion?  For loving-kindness?  How far would you walk for your faith?

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.