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Pastor Dion's UPDATES and INSPIRATIONS
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them (Acts 2:1-4).
As I write, Pentecost Sunday will happen in two days. The solemn Memorial Day ceremony took place at the library a few hours ago with participants young and old gathering in memory, gratitude, and grief. At such events, we are reminded how precious each life is and how fragile and meaningful life can be.
After the ceremony, there was a parade. A parade? I love a parade. I had not expected a parade, but I hurried home in time to get a few flags out on the lawn so I could participate in the community event in some small way. Perhaps decorating the lawn with flags was the way the Holy Spirit helped me to speak today. I noticed that our neighbor was flying a pride flag! The Spirit was at work. Could life get any better?
Soon parade candy flew in our direction, and elementary youth broke line from the parade and headed to the sidelines to gather up the sweetness. There was a lot of waving; folks even called out. People from other parts of the county recognized me from both my time in Nassau and from some events I have shown up for locally in the past few years. They were asking me where the holy water was and blessing me from firetrucks by making the sign of a cross with their hands. The parade was not so solemn. A bit of joy bubbled forth.
The events of the day highlighted the blessings of gathering in community. People came together to give thanks and remember, to stand beside one another where there was pain, and to celebrate one another as neighbors and friends. Of course, we won’t always think the same way, but we can still care about each person. Getting to know our neighbors and putting in the time and effort to develop relationships changes us. Gathering for such events where we share in common a few values and emotions can help us to realize that, in our diversity, each one of us is loved by God and shares in the one source of life.
Scouts, the school choir, veterans, fire companies, and library folks helped to craft a healing time for us to feel embraced by and grow in beloved community. As we sincerely give thanks for those who loved their neighbor and gave their very lives in service, a holy Spirit showed up among us to remind us to cherish each fragile life with loving care. We have been blessed.
Let us nurture the flame of beloved community that has arrived among us. Amen.
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