Summer of the Spirit: Pentecost to Go

Last month, I wrote about Easter-to-go, when I dressed up in my cassock and surplice and distributed Easter candy at the Mt. Lebanon T station, to remind people they could all access God’s grace. I reflected on the experience, and warned everyone of what was coming next.

In fact, I said: “Pentecost is when we celebrate the arrival of the Holy Spirit, empowering us all (not just the clergy) to go out and proclaim the Good News. We remember this every year, when we hear the story in Acts, of all the disciples speaking in different languages, so that all who gathered could hear and understand the word of God.

“For the last two years, Lou and I have distributed ashes at the start of Ash Wednesday, to remind everyone that they are always welcome to repent and return to the Lord. This year, I passed out Easter candy, as a visible sign that all are loved and welcomed by God. How might you mark Pentecost to Go? What way could you show the world that God loves them?”

On the day of Pentecost, we remember the day in which the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples, and gave them the power to tell of God’s power. In Jerusalem, this meant that the disciples could speak in the languages of people who had been conquered by the Roman Empire. In other words, they were given the ability to show forth God’s love, to people who desperately needed it.

One way we mark the arrival of the Holy Spirit is by speaking in different languages at the Pentecost services. But, the Holy Spirit also empowers all of us – old and young, lay and ordained – to do ministry. So, in the season after Pentecost, Pentecost-to-go is up to you! What will the Spirit empower you to do? How will you show forth the love of God? Maybe the Spirit will encourage you to reach out to the poor, or to invite friends to St. Paul’s. Maybe the Spirit will give you strength as you tend to sick family members, or give you patience to tutor those who need help. The possibilities are endless, because the Spirit empowers us with lots of different gifts.

So, send me (Michelle@stpaulspgh.org) your stories, your pictures or short video clips of what you are doing through the power of the Holy Spirit this summer. We will highlight at least one story a week throughout the season on our Facebook page, and on a bulletin board in the parish hall.