The color this Sunday is red! It is Pentecost. We have spent the last 50 days celebrating the Easter season, and that ends this Sunday as we celebrate the joy, wonder, miracle, and a little weirdness that is Pentecost. The color is red because the theme of Pentecost is fire. We remember the day that the disciples gathered in a room in Jerusalem while a great festival happened in the streets outside their windows. Suddenly, a rushing wind came through the house, and tongues of fire danced on their heads. It was the Holy Spirit, arriving with fire and wind and joy, and again a little weirdness! It is the birthday of the Church.

This is a day for festivity and wonder and thankfulness to God for God‘s great actions in our lives. It is a day to give thanks for the actions of Jesus Christ in the lives of the disciples, and in the miracles of his resurrection and ascension. We are the disciples now. I’m not sure what we would do if tongues of fire appeared on our heads; likely, it would be a huge shock. I have no doubt it was a shock to the first disciples as well. But the fire and the wind and the Holy Spirit pushed them out of that room and gave them courage to do things they never thought they could do in the name of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They preached, they healed, they performed miracles, and they carried the Good News of Jesus out into the world!

How will we carry the light? How will we carry the fire? How will we carry the Holy Spirit out of Calvary and into the world?

In gratitude, blessing, and joy,
Beth+

P.S.: It is the tradition to wear red clothing of some kind on Pentecost. I hope you will!