Pentecost can help us see a world of division and disunity as an opportunity, not a threat
In imagining what it was like for the disciples after the crucifixion of Jesus, one characteristic that is readily identifiable is a sense of hopelessness. Jesus did everything He could to instruct them and get them ready for His death and resurrection, but preparing for and actually experiencing something are two very different things. The disappearance of Jesus’ body and His multiple appearances after His resurrection leave the disciples confused, doubtful and worried.
The disciples’ first reaction to the news that His body wasn’t in the tomb was one of confusion and fright. They wondered who took the body, where they put it, what they were doing with it and the consequences of a dead person’s body missing. Those who have been through grief and loss know that it’s possible to get lost in thinking about what isn’t going to happen anymore. It takes abundant humility to believe what good might come out of the loss of Jesus’ presence in the world. Most of us get stuck in the options we can imagine, and we forget to surrender ourselves to the larger horizon: the possibilities of what God can do if we are humble enough to submit to His power and His will.
It’s almost impossible for us to imagine a day when we could experience what the disciples experienced on Pentecost. Notice the description of the crowd that gathered outside the locked doors. There were people from every known place during Jesus’ time. The crowd that gathered spoke different languages, came from different countries, practiced different or no religion whatsoever and were there for various purposes. We know that some people had gathered to try to eliminate the remaining members of the group who followed Jesus. We also know that people were gathering for other religious purposes, knowing that people’s ordinary lives continued, even though Jesus had died. If the disciples had peeked out the windows, it would’ve been hard for them to imagine being able to speak and act in a way that would bring all of those people into unity. Left to our own devices and our own fears, our imaginations quickly focus on the separations and differences that exist among us. We tend to see those as obstacles rather than opportunities.
Once they have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit, they exercise courage as they move into the crowd and speak in a way that everyone can understand. They experienced it happening, but did not understand how. We have all had similar experiences and wonder how something happened. These are the moments of our lives when the grace of God, which is present with us at all times, becomes more evident. If we follow Jesus’ directions, all things are possible with God. Loving God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength and loving our neighbor as ourselves will open up for us the possibility of God’s grace acting in truly unimaginable and incredible ways. Acting that way on a daily basis allows others to experience through us the love of Jesus Christ, whose power has no limits.
It shouldn’t take much imagination for us to conceive of a world where division and difference is seen as a threat rather than an opportunity. What is it that we bring to that reality? Is it hopelessness, or is it the love of God? What are our expectations of Pentecost happening right here, right now? For Jesus told us the Kingdom of God is at hand.
Father Donald Wester is retired and serves as lecturer of homiletics at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary.
