“Hey God” says I. “What happened to Pentecost? Every other major celebration gets at least a week, but Pentecost is only a single day ‘tacked’ onto the end of Easter.”

[Tonight, I came straight to the back porch. There’s not a cloud in the sky; the temperature is right where I like it, so I decided simply to take this moment. I’m going to ignore the research for this one. I just want to go to God with what’s already on my mind. Then, we’ll see what happens.] 

A creak follows a thud from the wooden loveseat across from me. “Huh, so I’m not going to have to track you down tonight?” A snicker goes with these words. It’s a jovial sound, recognizing the change of pattern. (Click to see Easter’s reflection – at least)

A tired chuckle precedes my response: “Yeah, I’ve really gone on some rambling adventures for these reflections recently; haven’t I?”

“Shew” comes from my Buddy; it’s the sound of escaping air, like taking the top off a boiling tea kettle. Then, my Friend says, “You’ve certainly traveled a long way to get some of these things done. Still, some progress has been made – I think.” 

[Certainly, I’m glad to hear that. Maybe my wanderings have not been in vain or, at the very least, not misguided.]

My Buddy makes a throat-clearing sound that pulls me back to this moment. “Still, You don’t sound like you’re on a well-worn path tonight.” 

[My first thought wonders what would a well-worn path look like?] I say, “I suppose I’m not. I very much enjoyed today’s liturgy for the Feast of Pentecost. But, tomorrow begins Ordinary Time. Pentecost doesn’t even get the week after it, as Epiphany does. So, what’s the deal?” 

I feel eyes narrow at me with a deep inhale. Then, comes the first real question to me: “Okay, then – what have you been reading?” 

[What a great question! That cuts through my malarkey as well as showing a fantastic understanding of me and my journey. Praise God for that question.]

“Well,” I say while sliding to the edge of my seat. “I was reading some St. John Henry Newman. He’s really excited and even mentions an ‘Octave of Pentecost.’ He reveled in celebrating the two major events of Pentecost for eight days. Apparently, he was most excited about dividing his sermons between those events. With that Octave, he could focus on the Descent of the Holy Spirit one Sunday and the Birth of the Church the next. How great to linger with the Holy Spirit for a week before diving into the Birth of the Church.” (Here’s one article about the Octave of Pentecost)

“Of course, the newest Englishman has your attention.” My Friend says with the same laugh that I give Ruth after she shows me the same toy for the eighteenth time. “Still, you’ve got a lot going on there, and you do prefer lingering in places – don’t you?” 

In agreement, I nod with enough conviction that it might as well be a head-butt. I say, “I do like to linger in big moments. You show many wonderful and mysterious things, so I just like to see as much as I can. And with Pentecost, there is a lot to see. Plus, You normally bless the Church with those moments to linger, so what happened to Pentecost?” 

“Wait, just a moment.” My Buddy asks, “What happened to the usual excitement about Ordinary Time?” 

I flick a hand to wave away that question. I say, “Oh, don’t get me wrong. I’m still super excited about Ordinary Time. I’ve wondered about Pentecost for years though, and this year my curiosity got the better of me. So, I thought I’d bring this to You.” 

“Okay, so you’ve hung-out for 50 days after Easter, but now you want another moment to stay with the Descent of the Holy Spirit. Plus, you have some disappointment with My Church’s calendar not giving you that time.  Is that what you’re saying?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, then – let’s look at a couple things, and both of them involve St. Peter. What does he do after Pentecost?”

“Uh, give me a minute,” I say. Digging deep, I answer: “I guess his sermon counts even though it’s kind of still part of the Pentecost moment. Then, he gets arrested quickly after Pentecost. I suppose that’s moment number 2?” (Acts 2:14-41 & Acts 4:1-22]

My Buddy holds up a thumb and an index finger with only a millimeter between them. “There’s a number of ways I could look at that answer, but all of them are wrong, based on what you said. You missed a moment. What about the healing of the lame man?” [Acts 3:1-10]

“Ah,” I say. “So, I either include Peter’s sermon in Pentecost and have only one moment, or I count Peter’s sermon and skip to the third moment after Pentecost. Is that what You’re saying?”

My Friend nods slowly; it’s an admission of agreement with more than a hint of regret at having to agree. I receive an even greater challenge to my answer than it being wrong: “Although, your incorrectness sort of makes My point even stronger.”

I raise an eyebrow in my Buddy’s direction. “Great, so I’m wrong, and I’ve added to Your point?”

“Yeah, ya have. Because if you’ve given Me two moments of action after Pentecost and still missed one, guess what that means?”

A sigh goes so far as to close my eyes. I confess, “It means that St. Peter didn’t want another moment after Pentecost to linger. He went straight to it after Pentecost.”

“Exactly,” my Buddy says, “Peter [perhaps as always though] was ready to get to work after Pentecost. Perhaps, that’s just his personality, or maybe that’s the impact of My Spirit. I leave that to you. Whatever the case, there’s certainly not more sitting around.”

I say, “This also implies that the Church is giving me exactly what You would have it give with the immediate turn to Ordinary Time.”

My Buddy smiles. Now, this smile comes from lips pressed together in a stretched grin with narrowed eyes; the sentiment is this: “I know you aren’t going to like this, but yeah, that’s it.”

I say, “Well, then – if I’d just participate with the gifts provided, I’d be in greater imitation of Your call than I would be otherwise? In other words, You’ve already given exactly what I need to go with You into Pentecost?”

“Yeah” says my Buddy. “So, how about you go work on that next story? You’ve made it to the knowledge of Pentecost, so why not go work on the understanding of it?”

[Well, what can I say to that? If this is the direction, then there’s only one thing to do:] I answer, “Yeah, all right – I guess it is story planning time. Will You come with me?”

“Always.”