This Pentecost, finding silent-yet-sacred deeds of power in everyday life

Pentecost.

The name comes from the Greek word pentekoste, meaning fiftieth.

In many faith communities, Pentecost is a holy day celebrated on the fiftieth day after Easter and is inspired by events described in Holy Scripture:

When the day of Pentecost arrived, the disciples gathered in one place. Suddenly, the rush of a violent wind filled the house where they were together. A tongue, as of fire, rested on each disciple. All began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit empowered them.

At the sound, a crowd assembled and was amazed. Each one heard the disciples speaking in their native language and describing sacred deeds of power. (Acts 2:1-4, 6)

What a fantastical phenomenon! A tornado-force wind descends. Candleless flames rest above 12 human heads. A dozen monolingual disciples utter multiple dialects to a mini-United Nations of visitors without benefit of audio-translation! Even so, this 1st century, multi-sensory event — manifesting “sacred deeds of power” — is cited as the spiritual birth for many Christ-following churches throughout the globe.

This year, Pentecost is celebrated on Sunday, May 19.

Rather than scrutinize the “special effects” named in this 1st century Biblical story, may we consider a contrasting 21st century, real-life story — a veritable “Pentecost without words.”

* * *

Giselle was anxious on her daughter Naomi's first day of kindergarten. Even as Giselle confidently dressed Naomi in a pink athletic shirt and shorts, Giselle wondered if mainstream schooling was best for her daughter

Giselle had reason for concern. Diagnosed with autism, 6-year old Naomi struggled with verbal communication. Despite attending an additional year of preschool, Naomi was still one of the smallest students in the school. Moreover, Naomi was the twin sister of Noah, who was also nonverbal and who exhibited severe autism and global delay.

Giselle wondered: Will anyone meet Naomi's personal needs if she is unable to talk? Will Naomi's diminutive size make her a target for bullies? Will Naomi manage without her brother who attends a school 14 miles away?

Giselle wondered. And she worried.

However, a remarkable event occurred during Naomi's first week of school.

On Friday afternoon of that week, the classroom assistant told Giselle that her daughter had radically changed the entire aura of the class — without speaking a word.

Two other children in Naomi's class were also silent but for a different reason. Having recently immigrated from Ukraine, they were unable to speak English. Naomi was seated next to the Ukrainian children so that one classroom assistant could help all three students. But none of the teaching staff spoke Ukrainian. The teaching team was discerning how best to help the trio of diverse-needs students who had been placed in the same mainstream class.

The teacher taught a lesson while the children sat on the floor. Naomi sat and listened intently. Then Naomi returned to her seat. The class had been asked to draw a picture and write their names at the top of the paper. While most of the children eagerly picked up crayons, Naomi sat quietly. She watched the classroom assistant struggle to help the two Ukrainian students who did not comprehend the teacher's instructions.

As another child momentarily distracted the classroom assistant, Naomi rose from her seat and approached the two Ukrainian students at their desks. Silently, she took each child by the hand and pointed to their own names — printed on desk name tags — and then pointed to the top of their blank papers. Naomi picked up a crayon, began to mark their papers every so slightly and then gestured to what the other students were doing. She waited while they observed her wordless communication. They copied down their names and started to draw. Naomi looked at each of them and smiled. Only then did Naomi return to her seat and begin to write her own name.

The classroom assistant cried. The teacher watched — amazed at the silent yet “sacred deeds of power.”

* * *

What is “Pentecost without words”?

Perhaps it is a spontaneous rush of Spirit that stirs us to express silent but universal gestures of kindness: a knowing look, a gentle touch, a genuine smile, a clarifying lens.

Whatever our affiliation or non-affiliation with creeds, doctrines, dogmas or spiritual paths, the strong wind of kindness has surely blown through the leaves, branches and trunks of our beings. Kindness has changed each of our lives — if only for a moment.

Kindness reshapes lives.

Why not practice a personal “Pentecost without words” everyday?

Why not, indeed. In deeds.

The Rev. Dr. Barbara Therese is pastor of Congregational Church of Grafton.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Keep the Faith: Pentecost without words? Kindness can change lives