Pentecost and Looking for Signs

For the last several weeks the things I had to do took precedence over the things I like to do, so this week is late and a "two-fer."   I am disappointed to have not written about the  sermon on Pentecost because I really got hung up on a concept that the Pastor advanced in the sermon. It was based on Acts 2:1-21, and she started out by explaining that our atmosphere contains all the air that ever was.


Some of you know I live with a scientist, so I tested the idea out on him.  He agreed with the premise, to the extent that it is a closed system.  However, he pointed out that the act of breathing in changes both us and the atmosphere, and breathing out does the same.  In addition, minerals and other inanimate objects change the atmosphere.  Evaporation, osmosis and lots of other processes allow things like the ocean to absorb precipitation and then humidify the air through evaporation.  So, on a molecular level we may actually be breathing in the same molecules that Plato and Mozart and the disciples, and even Christ breathed.

Last Sunday's sermon was based on John 3:1-17.  Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night, showing deference and respect and asking for explanation.   I wonder if Nicodemus went at night because both he and Jesus were busy during the daytime, and night was the only time they could have a deep, serious, uninterrupted conversation?  At any rate, Nicodemus is looking for burning bushes,affirmation, clear and unmistakable signs and complete and total understanding.  But Jesus speaks in riddles, symbols, signs.  From the scripture it is unclear how Nicodemus feels at the end of their time together.

The disciples in the Upper Room got a clear, unmistakable signs in the wind and flames if Pentecost, the speaking in tongues.  Don't we all wish we had such direction?  No reason to think, doubt, wonder.   Nicodemus on the other hand is left to decode things.  Maybe the lesson is that we need to accept the mystery, that God has plans for us that are bigger and more wonderful than we can imagine.  Maybe the lesson is that we need to wait and listen for the small voice, to recognize that coincidence isn't always coincidence.  Maybe the lesson is that when we take God in, we are then obligated to give God back to the world.  Maybe the lesson is that we need to have faith by embracing the mystery and accepting that though we puzzle and puzzle 'til our puzzlers are sore, God's abilities and signs are simply, always, more.