Pentecost is here!

My parents love A Prairie Home Companion, the radio show on NPR. It's an old-time variety show from Minnesota. I grew up listening to it virtually every Saturday night or Sunday afternoon of my childhood. I sometimes listen to it now and think that my parents are listening to it right then. It makes me feel close to them.

In one memberable show, the host, Garrison Keillor, suggested that spring makes us do stupid things. It's something about the warming temperature that makes our brains go all screwy. Well, he used that rationale to prove that his ancestors were smart in moving to Minnesota where it's cold, versus Florida, where they would be stupid all the time. It was a funny show--and has clearly stuck with me over the years. Mostly because there is one truth: warm weather does seem to make us stupid.

I think it has something to do with that long, cold winter we get in Michigan and the first time the temperature jumps into the 60's, we strip down and run around like sun-worshipers. We break out our sunglasses, shorts, t-shirts, and flip flops. We like to be seen loving the sun as much as we actually want to be out in it. And every year, I get that same urge.

For churches, they made some easy decisions well before there was a "summer vacation" by putting Advent/Christmas at the beginning of winter and Lent/Easter at the beginning of spring. But, as the summer expands to engulf the months of May and September, we are left uninspired for the one church day that is closest to directly affecting us: Pentecost. On this one day, we celebrate the Holy Spirit's interaction with the church. It has the vivid imagery of the tongues aflame! It has the vivid reds and the pomp of our greatest services in the church year. And yet...it sure is nice out. It sure is appealing to ignore the motivating and brilliant directions of the Spirit in the midst of our regrowing Eden around us. But come to church for this. Feel the electricity of Pentecost! Yes, it is also Mother's Day, but Mom's, share the celebration this time. Let us feel alive in the Spirit!

For a good, short discussion about Pentecost, take a look at the Presiding Bishop's letter about Pentecost. It is outstanding.