One of the great Canadian Anglican pulpiteers of recent generations, Harry Robinson, was once asked what the greatest obstacle for him was in preaching. He didn’t even hesitate. “Overfamiliarity with the text,” he responded.
If that is true on any great feast day it is true on Pentecost. We read the story knowing what is going to come, forgetting that those there at the time had no idea what would occur next.
Jesus said “behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high.” Then he left. They did not comprehend his words. Luke tells us at the key moment his disciples were not standing, they were sitting.
When the Holy Spirit came, Luke stretches language to its limit to try to capture what occurred: “a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind;” “tongues as of fire.” This was not anticipated—and therefore those present were filled with wonder and astonishment.
Earlier Jesus had said “the wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit.” And so, too, is it when the Holy Spirit blows into our lives.
After one particularly stressful day recently, I was sitting with my wife watching a taped favorite television program, “24.” We were at a tense moment in the show. It was late. Then the phone rang.
I was not thinking the most pleasant thoughts. I was frustrated. We stopped the show and I looked to see the number indicating that our oldest daughter, who is away from home at school, was calling. I bet you guessed I didn’t answer as hospitably as I should have.
The voice on the other end of the phone wanted to speak to her father. I said hello and she proceeded to read me a passage from a 19th century author she had just discovered. She was breathless. “Isn’t that fantastic” she asked. “I knew you would appreciate it the most—I just had to call and share it.”
Soon thereafter the voice was gone. I was filled with sudden wonder, touched through joy by surprise.
I think of moments like that when I remember Pentecost, and I pray in this wonderful season that God will grant us new openness to whatever unexpected encounters the Spirit provides for us.
