Three images define the Pentecost event in the Bible. First, everyone is gathered in the house. It is the community on which the Spirit descends, not the individual. Second, they are not gathered in an open field but in a dwelling. Culture created by humanity is what unifies the community. Third, the fire of the Spirit comes upon them in a separate flame for each one. From one heaven, different inspirations enlighten those gathered and allow each to speak in a different language. From the unity of the community, diverse inspiration becomes a multitude of voices and languages. The Pentecostal question is: Do we, as a “house,” have the solidarity, the unifying togetherness, so that the heavens open up? Do we have the understanding and generosity to hear the diversity of voices as coming from a common heaven? Or put more philosophically: can we think the unity of diversity?
Translation Laura Liska
Illustration Graphics team for the Weekly
