June 6, 2025

When looking at Pentecost artwork this week, I came across this icon I don't think I've seen before, of the disciples on the Day of Pentecost, with flames over their heads.

For some reason, the gloomy expressions on their faces, as they remain seated and unmoved by the presence of the Holy Spirit, struck me as very humorous. Most Pentecost-associated artwork is quite dramatic with large flames and swooping doves, and people dancing in the streets with awe. But not our disciples. When I first saw this rendition, I really did laugh a little. There's such a stark contrast between this and the later depictions of those dancing and celebrating. Certainly, The Church today encourages the Dancing With Fire end of the spectrum. But the more I thought about it, I think both approaches to Pentecost are telling the truth. The celebrating shows what happens after the Spirit comes—when fear gives way to courage, and the disciples spill out into the world, speaking hope in every language. That’s the outward explosion of Spirit. It’s messy, beautiful, and alive.

But the icon captures the moment before it all hits them. They're still in the upstairs room, waiting for who-knows-what. The weight of the loss of Jesus is still heavy. Maybe the disciples aren't glum, but serious, because they feel the gravity of it all. Spirit doesn’t always just come along and zap us with joy and delight. It sends us out into unknown places, toward situations that require our best, toward people we never expected to love, into a life that might be harder (even if holier) than we imagined. Maybe the disciples needed to wrap their minds around that. The work really was in their hands now. That's a lot to process.

I can feel both of those things. Sometimes I’m the street-celebrator, caught up in the energy and urgency of the work we're called to, and ready to get to it. Other times, I’m just sitting, open but unsure. Not feeling quite adequate, or quite prepared. Wanting things to be a little more clear and certain before I jump in. This work is in my hands? Are you sure, Jesus??

My prayer this week is that we don’t let uncertainty keep us from greeting Spirit where and when that fire finds us. We might feel ready—or not even close. The disciples weren’t sure either, but the flame still rested on them, and they were still sent. The Spirit doesn’t just show up to comfort us; it gives us a push—into courage, into love, into showing up right where we’re meant to be. May we rise to meet her, ready or not, trusting the fire to light our way