But, on the Feast of Pentecost, we remember that the Spirit is not simply, now and always, present and active in the world but was sent specifically to Jesus’ disciples and is sent to us today. And our readings this morning point the way to understanding why.
Imagine if we modeled ourselves on the Ethiopian eunuch – learners rather than teachers; explorers rather than experts; making room to listen to others rather than inviting them in to listen to us. What transformation might the Spirit have in store for us; what invitation into the way of God; what fruits, to borrow Jesus’ metaphor for a moment, might we produce?
The disciples are in the resurrection path of totality and they have the special glasses. They are looking directly at the Son (pun entirely intended) and having an astonishingly dramatic experience. They will go and bear witness to this experience, just as Jesus tells them to do
Easter answers one question – God’s love is absolutely stronger even than death – and then immediately asks another: so now what?
We are called to take the light with us; to pass it on to others; to act – with urgency and confidence – upon what that light shows.
Thanks be to God that we are a Good Friday people – called to see the world as it really is – broken and despised, fearful and violent, and also, always, loved and redeemed. So come – come to the foot of the cross; come in penitence; come in need… and come in hope-filled thanksgiving for the love that is stronger than sin, stronger than despair, stronger than death.