There is a little bit of Pentecost in all the Baptized!
Leaving his disciples staring on the hillside that Ascension Day with these words: “Go make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy spirit,” Jesus disappeared in the clouds.
He left no blueprint, no written directions, and no money to finance their mission. Jesus only promised that the Holy Spirit would come and tell them what to say.
It is no wonder they huddled as a group in the upper room with his last words: Make disciples of all nations ringing in their ears. How were they to follow this command? Didn’t they leave Galilee for the first time because he called them to “Follow me.”
Before hearing Jesus’ call, they never traveled beyond the Dead Sea. Jesus followers were a frightened and confused group. Then suddenly answers to their many questions came.
The Holy Spirit did come, arriving loud and clear, with strong winds placing brightly lighted tongues of fire flickering over their heads. Jesus’ promise arrived just as he pledged changing this ragtag group into fiery preachers. The Holy Spirit would soon help them make disciples in one country after another.
We are the descendants of these first converts. The Holy Spirit is still ready to help us make disciples where we live and work pouring into all zeal and enthusiasm. The Holy Spirit awaits us to give the Word.
Recently someone asked me, “When is God going to stop the allowing evil in our world?” My reply was simply that God is sending us to do that. When we are baptized, Jesus guides us to walk in his pathway makingdisciples of all nations.
Are we making disciples? Do we still feel sent to walk Jesus’ path? Are we as excited as those early Apostles. Are we fearful and confused that we can’t do this in today’s world? Do we think, “What’s the use? No one is listening.”
Since the evil of our last mass shooting, I saw crosses and an endless display of flower bouquets outside the school for the massacred students and their families.
These crosses and flowers told the world and the families that they also grieved and mourned their loss. Goodness can never be measured by the good it does. Every little bit helps.
We still have wars, tyrants lead many countries, guns need greater safety laws, people still suffer, and even our planet is in peril. But the Holy Spirit is still with us. It waits for our actions to ignite its flame.
If we do our bit of goodness, the miracles done on that first Pentecost can still happen. We can make disciples of all nations even today! We must get off the sofa and try.
A Pentecost Musing
May a new people, Rise from the waters
Over which hovers the Spirit of your Baptism.
-Days of the Lord
