Acts 2: 1-11 ……When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled,
they were all in one place together.
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 one 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……

Pentecost Sunday (50 days after Passover/Easter) a day in which the apostles were gathered in Jerusalem for a feast, and they experienced the descent of the Holy Spirit following the Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ. Pentecost was a new beginning for the church and each year it is representative of a new beginning for each of us. It is a wonderful time to remember and reflect on the gifts of the Holy Spirit fortitude, piety, fear of God, counsel, understanding, wisdom, and knowledge. 

I try to imagine that day…what a wonderous and glorious sight to visualize the descent of the Holy Spirit. I think of the Holy Spirit as a beautiful gift. A gift that was given to the Apostles but to each of us. If I believe in the Trinity - the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and I declare myself a child of God, a Christian, a believer, someone who is  ‘all in’ my heart, mind, soul, and spirit…is not the Holy Spirit within me and all around me? Can I sit quietly, in silence, breathing in and out, listening, praying, feeling the earth supporting my body, the breeze gently blowing my hair, the birds singing, cottonwood trees rustling and feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. Yes, I believe so. Amen.

When I actively engage in the Fruits of the Holy Spirit…Galatians 5:22: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and goodness…am I being guided by the Holy Spirit within me. Yes, I believe so. Amen.

So, I celebrate Pentecost; I welcome the Holy Spirit and go forth to be a disciple as God asks me to be.