I received this Pentecost reflection from a colleague this morning. I love the imagery and feeling it conveys about that experience in the upper room.
(Acts 2:1-13)
Suddenly a rushing, rushing
shook the house where we were sitting
all together, waiting, praying
for the coming of the Spirit.
Wind and Fire leaped around us,
set our hearts ablaze and fearless,
danced us down into the streets
where Jews of every nation, tongue
had journeyed to Jerusalem
to celebrate the harvest feast.
Like autumn leaves blown by the wind,
these children of the Exodus swept around us,
asked, amazed: “What can this mean?”
as we, consumed, yet not consumed by blazing Fire,
burned the ancient Babel tower,
harvested God’s holy people,
brought the flaming Word to all the world.
Irene Zimmerman, Incarnation, Cowley Publications, 2004.
