This major day in the church year falls on Memorial Day weekend this year. The gathering at 9:15 in church this morning was small. I*m sure 10:30 was bigger, with four baptisms scheduled. As a priest in so many parishes, I remember the ways we used to make the day stand out...people encouraged to wear red, the famous dove on the end of a long flexible pole leading the procession, red streamers, red and orange helium balloons, reading the Gospel in many languages, sometimes even a birthday cake for the Church.
Was it all so surprising
Was it all so surprising
When Pentecost fell?
They were told
Not to watch the place
Jesus ascended.
There was nothing particularly notable
About the soles of his feet.
Like Elisha
Who saw Elijah carried off,
The disciples saw Jesus leave
Yet again.
Was it all so surprising to them
When Pentecost fell?
Told to wait
In Jerusalem,
They trudged across the Kedron Valley
And waited.
They prayed
And waited.
Pentecost rained down.
Is it so surprising when Pentecost
Falls?
Falls again
And again
And again?
Every Sunday Christ is born
And dies,
And rises again.
Every Sunday the Spirit falls
Again and again
And again.
Still every day,
We are surprised.
Like the disciples.
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