Red is the color for rejoicing

I thought this article was well worth printing here. It is excerpted from an article in our Tribune the day before Pentecost Sunday, May 31st. I added a few of my own words and experiences and subtracted a few of her words and experiences so as to make it relevant to our family and friends. Here it goes:

Pentecost remembers the Christian church's long-ago birthday in Jerusalem.

Every Pentecost I think, "Party on, people!" Our scriptures at mass on Sunday were all about the first pentecost. Red is the color of the Holy Spirit. The priest wore, red, the decor was all red. Dad and I wore red shirts to church. I can remember very few Pentecost Sunday masses that were a joyful celebration. And yet, it should be. It was the beginning of Christianity. Many passages in the scriptures say "Celebrate! Clap your hands! Play in praise before your God! Worship Him with stringed instruments, trumpets, tamborines, etc". Peter and the other disciples of Christ became bold after that first pentecost and went out and proclaimed Jesus as Lord without fear! You can read all about in the book of Acts.

The church should bubble with excitement. Often I think church people do not party nearly enough. Some people in church truly do behave as if our spirits are frozen. We sit unsmiling in the pews, annoyed when children bounce or adults clap. That's who I was until the Holy Spirit jerked my hands off my lap and said loudly - "bring 'em together, Lonnie. Raise your hands and receive what I have for you. Raise your hands in praise of me. Show your joy. Jesus Christ has lived for YOU!"

It was a challenge. At first I was all frowns and disapproval. So skeptical. What were these praise songs, singing the same simple lines over and over? "Give me the good old hymns and organ music," I said.

The Holy Spirit kicked me and said "Get a life, Lonnie. Have you bothered to find out what those simple, repetitive lines are? They're scripture. Sing them over and over until their meaning penetrates your hard head."

The Holy Spirit is not always gentle with me. Sometimes He knocks me down because I am being dull, dull, dull. The Holy Spirit, I've concluded, does not like dull. The Holy Spirit likes liveliness, sunshine, people with the energy to dance their faith the way King David did.

The Holy Spirit also loves the tiny, adorable hands of infants, horses running on the range with their manes and tails flying, spring crops pushing out of the ground, and people who love God praying silently in their beds.

Sometimes the Holy Spirit rushes like a mighty wind, as when he descended upon the disciples in Jeruselem that first time, placing tongues of fire on all their heads and allowing them to understand each other no matter what language each was speaking.


Other times the Holy Spirit is silent, or as quiet as a baby bird making its first chirp.

I am so grateful for the Holy Spirit in my life. He picks me up when I am down, cools me when I get overheated, settles me when I'm agitated. He sings me to sleep at night and puts a song in my mouth when I arise.

I am grateful for Pentecost and the coming of the church, and most of all for Jesus Christ, a man of such amazing courage and strength that He was willing to take on the whole world's burdens so that my burdens and yours might become a bit lighter.

I am so grateful. Let's celebrate! The color is red!