Pentecost Sunday in Jerusalem

May 11—The cab driver was not happy with the way things are happening in the Middle East. “This is the holy land," he said. "The land and the rocks and the trees are holy. But the people," he continued, “are not holy.”

But many of them try very hard. Our group had the good fortune to arrive in Jerusalem on Pentecost Sunday. And we had the further good fortune to come to the small chapel in Old Jerusalem where Jesus’ early followers gathered to wait and pray after He ascended into heaven; where in the upper room the Holy Spirit fell upon them with power and they rushed into the streets speaking in many languages. And many were saved.

The chapel where this is said to have happened is often open to pilgrims, but services are conducted there only three times a year. The smaller “fire chamber” just upstairs is only infrequently open. We were able to be there to participate in one of the services and to pray in the upper room.

The service was conducted in Latin and led by Franciscans. We sang many Alleluias and prayed along with the monks and priests. It was crowded with many devout worshipers from all over the world. Several were pulled at random to read a prayer out loud, each in their own language. An Ambrose University student, Daniel, was selected to read the English portion.

After the service we went into the upper room to meditate and pray. We did not rush into the streets with new language abilities, but we came away deeply enriched by yet another touching experience with yet another part of the Body of Christ. People all over the world seek authentic encounter with God and yearn for holiness.