Eastertide

May 26, 2023

Scripture Reading: Acts 2:1-21

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. –Acts 2:1-4

How do we describe the indescribable? Several years ago, I was driving east in a very heavy rainstorm. Suddenly, I saw a car driving west, hydroplaning in circles over the grassy divide separating the highway.  I do remember pulling as far over as I could, and I remember the back of the car slamming into the back door of my car. The next thing I remember was a hard landing followed by seeing the very frightened face of a man tapping on my window, asking if I was all right.  He was the driver of the other car. I said I was. He helped me out of the car with rain still pouring and guided me back across the road, where his car had finally landed on the side of the road. We both sat in his car in some shock. That was before the days of cell phones. Shortly, however, a Highway Patrolman pulled up and assessed the situation. After he examined my car, he returned to say he had called for a wrecker and complimented me for driving up the side of the little hill that changed the trajectory of the coming car, which otherwise would have probably hit my front door and me. I said I did not drive up the hill, and he said well, somebody did because look at your tracks. After coming down the hill, my back wheels slammed into the ditch, which instantly stopped me from driving into the heavy traffic on the turnpike.

That memory flashed in my mind when I read this very familiar scripture about the arrival of the Holy Spirit. I cannot explain how they could all speak and understand each other in various languages. What I do know is that unexplainable experiences often give us greater awareness of whose we are and act as an encouragement to take more seriously doing our part in the furtherance of creating God’s vision of the Beloved Community.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your presence with us in the Holy Spirit. Open our hearts and minds to swerving you more nearly. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.