Pentecost and Protest

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.              Acts 2:1-4

I have to admit. I am always disoriented when a dove is used at Pentecost. Yes, I know it is a symbol of the Holy Spirit and yes, I know the Holy Spirit appeared as a dove at Jesus’ baptism. But, I have always imagined the baptism experience of the Holy Spirit as a calming peaceful event. After all, we use the dove as a symbol of peace as well.

The arrival of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, however, was a different kind of experience entirely.  A violent wind and tongues, like flames of fire. Not at all calm and peaceful. After all, the Spirit was giving birth to the church and bringing with it, power - the power to speak to all people. The power of love and transformation.

Pentecost weekend has brought winds and flame in multiple cities across the nation as peaceful protests over the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor erupted into attacks, looting and destruction. Although I do not condone the violence and destruction, I have had this sense throughout all of this that the Holy Spirit is trying to bring the power of change; to break the chains of racism and hate; to dismantle the systems that value some lives more than others. I wonder, did the dove of peaceful protest give way to the violent wind and flame of a passionate Spirit demanding to be heard?