We are all set to celebrate Pentecost and Trinity Sunday affirming the unity and multi-dimensional nature of our communities. With aggressive ‘othering’ becoming the identity marker of political maneuvering much more than ever before, it is important that we present a counterculture of resistance and inclusion as communities of faith and justice. The re-reading of the experience of Pentecost thus becomes very relevant to our times as does the image of unity that trinity presents before us. As we prepare to celebrate cultures, costumes and cuisines on Pentecost day it is worth asking what is that we are actually celebrating.

Pentecost is an affirmation of the ALL and the EACH

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. (Acts 2:1).

Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them.(2:3). All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.(2:4)

The original word used in verse 1 ‘homothymadon’ means all of them were with one mind, one accord and one passion despite the varied differences they had. Despite the challenging context in which they lived where there was evident opposition to the way that Jesus showed the people who were gathered in the upper room had that inexplicable oneness. When the Holy Spirit came down as tongues of fire no one was excluded or excempted. The work of the Holy Spirit is not only inclusive but it ensures that no one for whatsoever reason is kept out. The Spirit gave ability to speak in other languages to all of them and not to any special or privilaged group. The uniqueness of ‘each’ is something we need to constantly affirm. Each person carries distinctive characteristic that invariably enriches the whole. Once individual value is affirmed and dignity recognised each becomes insepable cogs in the saga of fellowship. Each, regardless of background or ability, has unique contributions to make for the wholesomeness of the community. Making community is a collective task where belongingness is of prime importance. Recognising each acknowledges respect for differences- opinions, traditions and talents. When each is nourished and valued the whole group thrives.

Is there anyone in our community whom we have not valued as we would value others. Pentecost should be an opportunity to intentionally reach out to each of them and celebrate their inclusion in our scheme of things and our understandig of the church. It is the same Holy Spirit that empowers each one of them as part of the community of LOVE. A good community is not built on the strength of a few but on the value of each- every voice heard, every hand held and every heart included.

Pentecost is an affirmation of the MANYNESS of the Body of Christ.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. (2:5). About 15 distinct communities are named. They came from different geographical contexts and nations, they spoke a variety of different languages, their cultures were shaped by the contexts they came from including from Persia to Rome, they came from different ethnic contexts and religious backgrounds, they should have been from different social and economic backgrounds, and different age groups and genders. Pentecost affirms the MANYNESS of the body affirming tha diversity is part of God’s divine design and should be acknowledged and celebrated.

The body of Christ right from its inception is designed to be multi-ethnic, multi-generational, multi-cultural, multi-lingual, multi-racial and multi-gifted. Yet Othering, Exclusion, Marginalisation and Discrimination are realities people face in our pews as in every other space of existance. As we discussed at the Racial Justice Conference every celebration should help us ‘understand how prejudice, condescension, discrimination and humiliation – subtle or aggressive – affect real lives of real people, traumatise many of our sisters and brothers, and perpetuate pain and shame, fear, desperation and also anger’. Pentecost continues to be a call to repent, recompense, restore and rejoice.

Pentecost is an affirmation of the right RESPONSE to the Gospel

Filled with the Holy Spirit Peter preached Jesus and distinctly told the crowd- Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified. (2:36). It is worth noting how the people responded to the gospel message. Those who ‘heard’ the message ‘were cut to their hearts’. That is the power of spirit filled messages. The natural response was a poignnat question- “what then should we do?” Peter told them, Repent, be baptised and receive the Holy Spirit. Those who welcomed the message were baptised. They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching, breaking of bread and prayer. They considered all that they had as common, shared with the poor and needy. They stayed together, ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Pentecost continuosly remind us of the inherent nature of the church- a called out and repentant community, a caring, sharing and rejoicing community- glad and generous and constantly growing.

May our celebrations reclaim what we are orginally intended to be as a church.

Vinod Victor

June 1, 2025