There is something fascinating about Pentecost. Christmas is beautiful. Easter is overwhelming. But Pentecost is dangerous. Christmas has a crib. Easter has flowers. Pentecost has fire. The scriptures tells us the disciples were hiding behind locked doors. Not because they were bad people. But because they were afraid. And then the Spirit came. Hearts that were fearful began to burn with faith. Look around the church today – fire red is everywhere – red vestments and red flowers – red clothing – reminders that the Holy Spirit is not cold or distant. The Spirit is alive. The Spirit burns within us. The Spirit gives warmth, courage, energy, and life.
Those first disciples were fearfully hiding behind locked doors. They were afraid of the future. Afraid of change. Afraid of what people would think. Afraid they were not strong enough. And honestly, those fears are alive today. There are people sitting here today carrying locked doors inside themselves. Grief, disappointment, loneliness, fear of aging, fear of sickness, fear of the future, fear of being forgotten. But Pentecost continues to happens. It happens when a bitter person becomes kind again. When a frightened person finds peace again. When a grieving person laughs again. When somebody who has every reason to give up…keeps going. That is the Holy Spirt at work.
On that first Pentecost, tongues of fire rested upon each person – not just Peter, not just the leaders, but upon everyone gathered there. That means the Holy Spirit is given to every believer. Every one of us has been entrusted with gifts: compassion, wisdom, kindness, encouragement, service, faith. The Spirit works differently in each person, but always for the good of the Church.
This Pentecost comes at an important moment in the life of our parish. Soon a new pastor will be coming to lead and serve this community. Times of transition can bring many emotions – gratitude, sadness, uncertainty, anticipation. But Pentecost reminds us that the Church is never abandoned. The Holy Spirit guides the Church through every season.
The apostles themselves faced enormous change after Pentecost. They did not know exactly where the Spirit would lead them. But they trusted that God was already preparing the way. That same Spirit is with our parish now.
A parish is never simply built by one priest alone. It is built by people whose hearts are on fire with faith. The Spirit calls all of us to welcome, encourage, support, and pray for one another – and to welcome the new pastor with open hearts.
Perhaps Pentecost asks each of us today, “What is burning within me?” Is it worry? Anger? Fear? Or is it the fire of the Holy Spirit – the fire of love, hope, forgiveness, and mission?
Fire can spread. One candle lights another. One faithful person encourages another. One joyful disciple can renew an entire parish.
So today, as we wear red, let it be more than a tradition. Let it be a sign that we want the fire of the Hoy Spirit alive within us. Let us pray for this parish, for its future, for the new pastor and for one another.
And may the Spirit who came upon the apostles at Pentecost come upon us again today – filling our hearts with courage, unity, and joy. Amen.