Daily Reading for May 31 • The Day of Pentecost
In his study of mysticism, The Idea of the Holy, Rudolf Otto describes both a sense of awe and a sense of dread when encountering the numinous. Like wind and fire in nature provoking situations of danger or comfort, wind and fire in scripture symbolize Divine Presence evoking awe and terror, fascination and comfort.
I think it is impossible to approach Pentecost without a sense of dread. The purpose of Christian initiation is new birth. It takes us from Advent to Pentecost Day to practice all the modes of consciousness and wisdom and difficulty that prepares us for this day of rebirth by wind and fire. Apostolos means “sent.” We are “sent” with the Good News to the “ends of the earth” as Apostles of Good News. But Good News is real change, and change is dangerous, and often not received well.
What fire purifies you with awe and fascination and dread? The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest its voice, but thou knowest not whence it cometh and whether it goeth; so is every one that is born of the spirit. Where are you sent?
From Suzanne Guthrie’s meditation on the “Day of Pentecost: Wind and Fire,” found at http://www.edgeofenclosure.org/mysticaljourney/pentecostday.html.