Although two Gospel writers don’t even mention it, Luke
clearly values the Ascension. He ends his Gospel with the
event and opens his second volume, the Acts of the Apostles,
with a recounting of it. In verse 5 of Acts 1, Luke reminds Jesus’
followers of the promise Jesus made before his death: They “will
be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Then in verse 8, he recalls Jesus’ words, “You will receive power
when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.” How significant were
these words that they were the last message Jesus gave to his
followers!

We find in the very next chapter the fulfillment of the promise
on the day of Pentecost, which we celebrate next Sunday.
The Holy Spirit anoints the gathered crowd in a rush of wind
and tongues of flame. That morning all languages are understood.
And by the end of Acts 2, believers hold all possessions
in common, caring for the needy, breaking bread together, and
praising God.

Jesus did not leave a blueprint to follow, a plan to execute.
Events unfolded when open hearts received the power of the
Holy Spirit. Here, for a moment, among the believers in the
Jerusalem church, Jesus’ prayer “that they may all be one” finds
fulfillment.

In a world buffeted by winds of war and division, those of
us who follow the Prince of Peace feel compelled to ask what
force is stronger than these powerful gales and gusts? Only
a bold and grace-filled wind like the one that filled the room
at Pentecost—the kind that stirs people of good will to lavish
compassion, extravagant mercy, and just sharing of the common
wealth—can tame the hateful blasts. If we are open to receiving
the power of the Holy Spirit, we too become part of the fulfillment
of Jesus’ final, fervent prayer for the world.