pentecost

when i think of pentecost, i think of the move of the holy spirit. of tongues of fire and power. of scared, defeated disciples being transformed into the church.

however, i am reminded that pentecost is also the time when jesus chose to reveal a powerful part of his purpose and our purpose as his people. "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because God has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. God has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Luke 4:18-19

I join with many at a conference led by Sojourners in the desire for a new plan, a new committment to make our world better. The proposed language for this covenant is
"We covenant together here, before God and our neighbors, to work and pray for a new America:
An America where everyone able to work is working and able to support a family.
An America where those who are unable to work are compassionately supported.
An America where no child lives in poverty and goes to bed at night hungry.
An America where every person has a roof over their head.
And an America that opens its heart and its budget to our neighbors around the world.
A new America - where all of God's children have the life and dignity they deserve."

One of my favorite politicians spoke at this conference. He is not my favorite because I agree with every point of his philosophy, but rather because my heart resonates with his inspirational, passionate,intelligent, broad view of life. Barack Obama
said some very powerful things about faith and its role in political life.