Pentecost is still possible even amidst today’s clutter.

At the Ascension, Jesus left his Apostles behind and ascended into heaven with these words echoing in their ears: “Go therefore to make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”

And then Jesus disappeared from their sight without leaving a blueprint, written directions, or even a tiny bit of money to finance his final command.

It is no wonder they huddled in that upper room with his last words: “Make disciples of all nations” ringing in their ears. How were they to obey this command? Didn’t they leave Galilee for the first time because he called them to “Follow Me?”

Before hearing these words, they had never traveled beyond the Dead Sea. The disciples were limited in their ability to speak a foreign language. Indeed, Jesus' followers were a frightened and confused group.

And then suddenly answers to their many questions came. It arrived loud and clear, with noise, intense winds, and bright tongues of fire flickering over their heads. The Holy Spirit had arrived just as Jesus promised.

The rest is the joyful story of Pentecost, and how this ragtag group became transformed into fiery preachers and went and “made disciples” in one country after another. Today we are the modern descendants of these first converts. As the Holy Spirit helped them “make good” on Jesus' request, the Spirit helps us to do the same.

Indeed, the Holy Spirit, the great Keeper of Jesus' Memory, set ablaze the faith within Jesus’ frightened huddled followers. Pouring into them zeal and enthusiasm, the Spirit fulfilled what Jesus wanted. And the Church, this community of many nations, began its long life which extends to us.

Baptism is our Pentecost too. Baptism takes away our sins and sends us walking the “way” of Jesus, with that same command: "Go and make disciples of all nations.”

Are we even making disciples today? Are we as excited as those early Apostles? Or are we fearful and confused that we cannot do this in today’s world? We think “what’s the use?”  We say Jesus' message “ain’t working.” There are still wars, tyrants running many countries, people still suffer from starvation, and even our planet is in peril.

Yet the Holy Spirit is still with us. Pentecost reminds us that two thousand years later, we still have one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, and now its up to us to bring this great news to all we meet in our lives.

If we do our part in our world, the miracles done on that first Pentecost can still happen.

And Jesus' words can be made still greater. Are we willing to try it?

Pentecost El Greco, artist