Last Sunday, we celebrated the feast of Pentecost. It has always been a favorite of mine, both for the readings and the meaning.

You really have to enjoy the scene in Jerusalem. People from every known nation are gathered there to  celebrate Shavuot, the Jewish Pentecost. This is one of three major pilgrimage feasts and originally commemorated the first fruits of the harvest. Later, it became associated with the giving of the first five books of the Torah to Moses on Mt. Sinai. So, a lot of folks were gathered for this occasion.

Imagine their surprise and confusion when they hear a great wind and suddenly all the people around them begin to speak in a language that they can understand. Each hears their own language coming from the mouths of the Galileans. It’s no wonder that they asked if they were drunk. (I always smile when I read this line. It is true that some who have had too much wine will begin to speak in tongues.)

Have you ever felt the Holy Spirit pass through your body. I know that most Christian-organized religions do not believe in ghosts or spirits. However, there is one spirit that can and does regularly visit us-the Holy Spirit.

Many years ago, I took part in a “Life in the Spirit” Seminar where we were led to feel and tap into the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The final ceremony was just plain amazing. I was left unable to speak, although some participants did speak in tongues. I was transported, comforted, and convinced that God is truly physically present in my life.

More recently, many of our Stephen Ministry supervision meetings have brought the Holy Spirit swiftly through the room while listening to the healing that has taken place for care receivers. I haven’t taken a survey, but I could tell by the glow on the faces in the room that a presence was felt that was out of the ordinary. It is like a shiver that passes through the body.

I don’t want to leave you with the impression that that Holy Spirits’ visits are these monumental events that leave you breathless. Most often, the Holy Spirit’s presence is felt in the quiet moments when decisions are made, and relief is attained.

Regardless of whether you feel the Holy Spirit or not, He is with you all the time. He is the God who loves you unconditionally and will do everything possible to bring you to life everlasting. I leave you with the anthem which the choir sang on Sunday: Every Time I Feel the Spirit.

Terri