Moved to Move

​A Reflection on the First Reading for Sunday, May 19th, 2024:
Pentecost Sunday

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Acts
2.1-11
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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. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in their own language. Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and converts, Cretans and Arabs — in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.”

Pause. Pray. Reflect.

The sound moved within them—all of them, collectively, at the very same time—and yet, the air stood still. It was both welcome and unsettling; new and familiar. They were gathered in Jerusalem on the fiftieth day of Easter; a time appointed and anointed long before Christ’s time on Earth. It was a time for Jews from many nations and tongues to congregate for the celebration of Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks. And once again, God was doing something new with a familiar celebration. He was doing something new and He wasn’t going to do it quietly.  

It was His Breath moving in them. His Breath: loud, sudden, compelling, and invisible to the eye. The same Breath who stirred Adam into life. The same Breath who enveloped all of humanity into the Son of God. The same Breath who would now perfuse the Apostles with the living power of Jesus. The Breath who stirs and convicts; who activates and authorizes.

Ruach Elohim: The Breath of God: The Holy Spirit.

Has He been activated in you? 

Listen... 

Do you hear Him now?

On that fiftieth day, now known as Pentecost, the Apostles were charged with Life in a way they had never known possible. The Breath of God moved them to speak, though perhaps they knew not what they were saying. They didn’t have to. God knew. And He used their breath to move words from their mouths that would stir the hearts and mystify the minds of all who were within earshot. 

The Apostles could have chosen to stop. They did not have to yield to the Spirit. The free will of humankind will never be dishonoured by our Father. I can only presume that when His Breath captivated them, they were overcome by Love. Who can resist Love? Whatever apprehension they may have been feeling in that moment was cast aside by the secure and inviting Love of God.  

In my life, my apprehension has frozen me to the spot. It has prevented me from doing the things God created me to do. It has led me to believe the lie that I am alone, and I am powerless. I held these beliefs all the years before I encountered the Holy Spirit, and I regret to say I have also believed them since. When I am attuned to His movement, though, I have been known to act outside of the fearful persona I have hidden behind much of my life. Insecurities become irrelevant. Self-focus shifts to a heavenly gaze. His fire burns within me until His Breath billows out from my mouth; until others hear His voice when I speak. Tears flow freely and unashamedly as my heart pounds with an ache for Eternity with Him. Love pours out.

As I am filled with the Holy Spirit, He gives me ability. Not because I am capable, but because I am willing, and He is able.

Breath of God, breathe on us now. Light a fire within us and make us brave.

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Lori MacDonald

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