Fifty days later… #pentecost

I have been working on a large artwork on the theme of ‘Pentecost‘.

Tradition tells us that fifty days later (after Easter), a group perhaps numbering about a hundred and twenty were all together in one place…

Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

The word pentecost comes from the Greek word meaning fifty.  In the New Testament account, at Pentecost, the disciples of Jesus were gathered together, they heard a great wind and spoke in different languages as tongues of fire, the ‘Spirit of God’, settled upon them.

Some scholars view the account of Pentecost as a powerful metaphor for the outpouring of a Holy Spirit on the early church, they do question the historical trustworthiness of the ‘Acts of the Apostles’ writings.  However, many believe that the author of Acts is the same “Luke” who wrote the third gospel; a reliable historian.

Whether it’s accurate or not, this and other biblical imagery and ideas are irrefutably powerful.  Spread the word through a shared belief…  Go into the world… unconditional love…  There is no doubt that the essential spirit of that message has lived and has remained strong through many trials.  Many have tried to quench the good news of unconditional love.  Many have tried to subvert and claim authority over the spirit of righteousness.  But it’s bigger than us. As a friend recently said, “It is of god.”

‘Then he said, “Go into the world. Go everywhere and announce the message …good news to one and all.”‘ Mark 16:15 The Message

“Go into the world and do well.  But more importantly, go into the world and do good.” Dr. Minor Myers, Jr.

“Dismantle the fences you have erected around family, tribe, and nation… expand your vision until you see everyone as part of the extended family…” Craig Greenfield

“Blessed are the peacemakers” Matthew 5:9  (I also like cheese, I’m sure the cheesemakers… are blessed also!)

“Words satisfy the mind as much as fruit does the stomach; good talk is as gratifying as a good harvest.”
“Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.”
Proverbs 18

Personally, I’d rather fall back on a collective wisdom, strength and spirit than the confused deceptive witterings that our cultures sometimes mediate.  Here’s to a bigger spirit!

 

The artwork in situ:  https://julesprichards.wordpress.com/2016/04/21/artwork-in-situ-pentecost/