50 is a curious amount. It gives the simultaneous impression of plenty but also of not enough. When I celebrated my 50th birthday, I could accept that I had now experienced enough to no longer feel “young,” but could also admit that I had not yet experienced enough to feel “old.”
As money goes, at least here in the US, a 50-cent piece is big and heavy enough to feel like you’re really holding on the something. But isn’t it only half a dollar? And who wants only half of something?
This coming Sunday, western Christian churches celebrate the festival day of Pentecost (eastern Christian churches will follow a week later). Pentecost means 50. The ancient Jewish festival of Pentecost came 50 days after Passover, celebrating God’s continual blessings upon God’s people. Since the coming of the Holy Spirit, as recorded in the Book of Acts, occurred on Pentecost, Christians have adopted the practice of celebrating 50 days after Easter.
Though we find ourselves entering into the final season of the church’s liturgical calendar, we are clearly not at the end. Yes, this Sunday Prince of Peace will conclude our latest year with the Narrative Lectionary – our annual voyage through the Bible and its chronological witness to God’s story. But this isn’t really an end.
In many ways, Pentecost is also a beginning. Many refer to this celebration of the arrival of the Holy Spirit as the “birthday of the church.” As promised, God again sends God’s self, this time as an advocate to come and walk with and within us, encouraging and animating us to be visible signs of God’s activity in the world. This is the source of energy that drives each of us out into the world while also drawing us together as the church to amplify our efforts.
In our celebrations this Sunday, we’ll mark this day of 50 with more than a few reminders of the already and not yet of faith. We’ll witness the baptism of our newest fellow member in the body of Christ. We’ll share together in the Lord’s supper as more young ones ritualize their first communion. We’ll listen to and encourage a confirmand as she affirms her baptism. And we’ll bless the high school and college graduates of our community as they begin the next chapters of their lives.
Each of these moments will be another opportunity to recognize all that God has accomplished in us and in each other, while also acknowledging that God has much more yet to do. 50, it seems then, is just the right amount for this day.
May God’s peace come to you. -Pastor Peter
Let us pray…
Almighty and ever-living God, you fulfilled the promise of Easter by sending the gift of your Holy Spirit. Look upon your people gathered in prayer, open to receive the Spirit’s flame. May it come to rest in our hearts and heal the divisions of word and tongue, that with one voice and one song we may praise your name in joy and thanksgiving; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Prayer for the Vigil of Pentecost, Copyright © 2022 Augsburg Fortress.