The Coming of the Holy Spirit “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were  all together in one place.  And suddenly from  heaven there came a sound like the rush of a  violent wind, and it filled the entire house  where they were sitting.”
Fifty days after Easter, on May 11 this year, we celebrate the Day of Pentecost.  This is the beginning of the season of Pentecost and commemorates the birth of the Christian church and the coming of the Holy Spirit.  Pentecost, derived from the Greek meaning “fiftieth”, originally was a Jewish harvest festival.  For Christians this is a happy, vigorous time for spiritual renewal and recommitment.  It is a time to reconnect with that inner voice or Holy Spirit that guides and directs us.   It is a time to rediscover who we are, where we are going, and most importantly what we can offer to others. But looking inward is not always easy, not always comfortable.  To become reacquainted with our inner self it is important to slow down,  to be still, to listen, to contemplate the times we have been close to God. We may have felt His presence listening to beautiful music,  reading a poem, gazing at a sunrise, or holding a child’s hand. Often  times of despair have brought us closer to God.  We must take time to reflect and remember.  If we don’t tend to the spiritual self, we can lose our way and feel stranded with no chart to follow.  When spiritually  adrift, our experiences, whether happy or sad, are channel markers we  can follow. To seek refuge in a safe harbor is comforting, but is it purposeful?   Isn’t it better to be a fearless sailor and face the more difficult challenge of heading out to unknown waters?  During this season of Pentecost,  re-examine your chart, lift your anchor, and turn about to face the open waters.  Let the Holy Spirit blow through your soul. Kaye Dutrow