Celebrated since at least the third century, Pentecost marks the end of the Easter season, the birth of the church, and the celebration of the Holy Spirit being poured out on all believers. It’s quite a feast! Today, we remember the events of Acts 2—a roaring wind and a holy fire resting on the disciples. We see the reversal of the Tower of Babel and a new, emboldened Peter still inspiring us today.
This also marks the conclusion of the Cycle of Life. From Advent to Christmas to Epiphany to Lent to Easter to Pentecost, we have come full circle in the life of Jesus and in the seasons of the earth. We now prepare to enter Ordinary Time (which in my opinion, is not really ordinary at all). It’s an adventure. It’s the working out of what God has done for us in the world. It’s working toward His new creation in our relationships and lives.
Bobby Gross in his book Living the Christian Year, says “We reveal his light, we exhibit his life and we embody his love.”
I love how that can play out in a number of different ways. It’s a rhythm of work and rest, of belonging to the church, of living on mission, and of loving our neighbors. Not so ordinary after all, really!