A Poem for Pentecost

Pentecost Sunday is one of the most significant events in the history of Christianity.

Whether you identify as one of the many millions of Pentecostals in the world or not, all Christianity finds its original thrust in this holy day.

In my morning readings, I recently came across this Poem for Pentecost by Lo Alaman.

Enjoy!

He said be
And everything became so
And in the amount of time it took for breath to pass through lips
A universe boomed, and stars sparked, and worlds began to exist
And all became His

He said breathe
And we became lungs
And we became bodies filled to life
Animated by spirit and instruction
And suddenly this dust had a Father
So we became daughters and sons
And love became both our names and our heritage

He said taste and see
He said faith and believe
He said inhale love’s promises
And exhale whatever lies lead our hearts to lonely

We went astray
Smoke filled our lungs
Sin cut off our airways
Like a knee to the neck
We cried, I can’t breathe
There was no justice, there was no peace

Could He speak again?
Could His Spirit whistle through the caverns of our chests?
Could He send a savior to resuscitate?

They whip His skin
He gasps in pain
He breathes His last
He lay in grave
The Spirit comes
He rises to reign!
He breathes on the church
We rise the same

He says breathe
And we come alive
He says receive
And let Spirit guide
The world needs life
The breath of Christ
Is in our lungs
Say Spirit come!
Say Spirit come!
Spirit come!

We pray . . . Holy Spirit come!